To help his summoned dog, Hayate, keep up with Tatsuya, Sasuke channeled his chakra into the husky, enhancing its speed and agility. The canine closed the gap effortlessly, ensuring Tatsuya wouldn't get distracted along the way.
After all, some things were best done when no one was watching.
Using chakra just for travel was normally reckless, especially before an upcoming battle. Depleting his reserves early could be a disadvantage. However, with Tatsuya and Tsunade present, it hardly mattered. If trouble arose, Tatsuya could eliminate any threats within minutes.
Under Tsunade's guidance, they quickly reached the forest where the Oto-nin had last been spotted. According to her estimation, the enemy group had disappeared upon entering the dense woodland, leaving no visible trace behind.
Dismounting from the husky's back, the trio scanned their surroundings.
At first glance, everything seemed normal.
Too normal.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. As one of Konoha's foremost experts in medical ninjutsu and genjutsu detection, she should have sensed any illusions immediately. But this time, even she hesitated.
"…Something's off." Tsunade frowned, stepping forward.
Sasuke followed her gaze, Sharingan spinning to life. "There's no chakra signature beyond the natural flow of the environment. If they used genjutsu, they masked it well."
Tatsuya remained quiet, eyes carefully examining the terrain. Despite his sharp senses, nothing appeared unusual—except for two barely noticeable mole holes hidden beneath the tall grass.
His gaze lingered.
Tsunade noticed his interest. "What? Found something?"
"The soil here is too dry," Tatsuya muttered. "Not fertile enough for burrowing creatures."
Sasuke knelt beside the mole holes, brushing his fingers over the dirt. It was compact, hardened by years of arid conditions. His brow furrowed. "No signs of fresh movement. If moles actually lived here, they'd have to be digging regularly."
Tsunade crossed her arms. "So you're saying these aren't mole holes?"
"Not natural ones," Tatsuya said simply.
Sasuke's expression darkened. "Then someone—or something—made them."
Most of the trees here had narrow, thick leaves, not the broad, lush foliage found in more fertile regions. The soil was dry and compact, hardened by years of arid conditions.
Based on these signs, rainfall in this forest had to be scarce. It made sense; after all, this area bordered the deserts of the Land of Wind. But that only raised another question—how could moles survive in such a harsh environment with so little food?
Tatsuya activated his perception abilities, expanding his sensory field beneath the ground, using the mole holes as the focal point. Yet, despite his sharp awareness, he detected no signs of life within them.
The husky, Hayate, let out a low growl, sniffing at the air. His ears twitched, then flattened against his head.
Tsunade cracked her knuckles. "Well, if something's hiding underground, I say we punch them up."
Tatsuya exhaled, a smirk playing on his lips. "How subtle of you, Princess."
"Want me to punch you or the ground first?"
Sasuke ignored their banter, activating his Sharingan's advanced perception. "Hold on." He stepped back, analyzing the patterns in the dirt. "If we're dealing with tunnels, there's a chance we could collapse them without learning where they lead."
Tsunade clicked her tongue. "Tch. So? What's your plan?"
Sasuke closed his eyes for a brief moment before reopening them with a sharp glint. "We draw them out."
Tatsuya activated his perception abilities, expanding his sensory field beneath the ground, using the mole holes as the focal point. Yet, despite his sharp awareness, he detected no signs of life within them.
Narrowing his eyes, he quickly formed a series of hand seals.
"Earth Style: Chasing Fang Technique!"
Two ninja dogs burrowed into the tunnels, their sharp senses guiding them through the underground passageways in pursuit of whatever lay ahead. Tatsuya wanted to see exactly where these holes led.
Seeing his sudden movement, Tsunade and Sasuke rushed over.
"Would it kill you to say something before using a jutsu?" Tsunade huffed, crossing her arms.
Tatsuya smirked, glancing at her. "You knew what you were getting into when you married me."
Tsunade clicked her tongue. "Yeah, and I must've been drunk when I thought that was a good idea."
Sasuke, standing beside them, let out a quiet sigh. "Again? Are you two really going to bicker in the middle of a mission?"
Tsunade shot him a look. "Quiet, brat. You're lucky we haven't started lecturing you about your lack of a social life."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Right, because your marriage is a shining example of maturity."
Tatsuya snorted. "Tch. You'll understand when you get a wife, kid."
Sasuke muttered under his breath. "That assumes I'd ever want one."
Moments later, an Earth-style shinobi emerged from the ground not far away, his expression tense. In his hand, he clutched a torn scrap of fabric, pulled from somewhere deep within the tunnel.
Tsunade's expression grew serious. "So they really did go underground."
Tatsuya ran a hand through his hair. "They never disappeared—they just made sure you thought they did."
Sasuke's Sharingan flickered as he analyzed the terrain. "A misdirection strategy. They didn't use genjutsu, just careful positioning, and an escape tunnel. Simple but effective."
Tsunade scoffed. "Tch, as if a bunch of Oto-nin could actually fool me."
Tatsuya chuckled. "They kind of did."
Tsunade's glare could have killed a lesser man. "Say that again, dear, and see if you sleep in our bed tonight."
Tatsuya wisely chose to clear his throat and move on. "Anyway. This wasn't some rookie stunt. These guys fought in the last war. They knew exactly how to evade detection."
Sasuke exhaled sharply. "Veterans?"
Tsunade crossed her arms. "That means they're dangerous. They won't just run the next time we find them."
Sasuke's tone was quiet, but firm. "Then we don't give them a next time."
Tatsuya grinned. "That's the spirit. See, Tsunade? He's finally listening to me."
Tsunade smirked. "Funny. I was just thinking he gets his common sense from me."
Sasuke groaned. "I hate both of you."
Tatsuya laughed, slapping Sasuke on the back. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go bag some Oto-nin, kid."
Tsunade sighed. "If you two are done, we have work to do."
Such precise battlefield tactics and escape strategies weren't things an average shinobi would develop in peacetime.
For that reason, Tatsuya couldn't help but feel a growing sense of curiosity—and caution—toward the origins of this group.
During this time, there had been very little conflict between Konoha and the other shinobi villages.
It was a time of peace—something Tatsuya had come to appreciate. His days were simple: reclining on a rocking chair, sipping tea, and watching Sasuke spar against various opponents.
After living like this for so long, he had grown accustomed to the tranquility, even indulging in it. A part of him hoped it would last forever.
Unlike others, the bloodshed of the past Ninja War had never truly stirred any deep emotions in him. He had neither grief nor lingering resentment. But now, that youthful energy that once burned inside him had long since faded.
With Sarutobi Hiruzen and the elders—people he had deeply despised—gone, Tatsuya had no reason to fight anymore.
Yet, the sudden appearance of Oto-nin gave him a bad feeling.
Originally, in the events of the original timeline, Oto-nins were under Orochimaru's control. But now, they were acting under someone else's command, their allegiance shifted to an unknown force.
Worse yet, these people lurked in the shadows, while he and his allies stood in the open.
Even Tatsuya, with all his insight, couldn't determine their true purpose.
Unlike the Akatsuki, whose goal had been clear—to capture the Tailed Beasts and realize the Tsukuyomi Plan—Oto-nin's objectives remained a mystery.
But one thing was certain.
If they came with hostile intentions, Tatsuya would treat them accordingly.
Since there was nothing particularly unusual in the forest, the three decided to head back.
However, just as they were about to leave, Tsunade suddenly suggested stopping by Yunokuni's Hot Spring Village for a bath.
As the three entered Yunokuni's famous hot springs, Sasuke looked around at the overwhelming number of people. His expression was neutral, but the slight twitch of his eyebrow betrayed his irritation.
After all, it was a rare chance to relax. A visit to the famed hot springs was the perfect way to unwind before returning to Konoha.
Yunokuni's hot springs were well-known across the Land of Fire.
It also happened to be one of Jiraiya the Pervy Sage's favorite haunts.
According to him, he often visited for creative inspiration.
But, of course, anyone with half a brain knew the truth—Jiraiya was here for the mixed baths.
The hot springs in Yunokuni allowed men and women of all ages to bathe together. Naturally, it had become one of Jiraiya's most frequently visited locations.
He could spend an entire day there without complaint.
As one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya was well-known, even among the villagers. The owner of the hot spring had placed a framed picture of himself and Jiraiya in a prominent spot at the front desk, proud to have hosted such a famous shinobi.
Unsurprisingly, Jiraiya's name alone had boosted the hot spring's popularity.
Many of his so-called fans came here, eager to experience the infamous mixed bathing area he so often spoke about.
Because of this, when Tatsuya and his companions arrived, they were met with a packed crowd.
The lively atmosphere was almost chaotic, like a festival in full swing.
If it weren't for the bathrobes everyone was wearing, Tatsuya might have mistaken the place for an entirely different kind of establishment.
Unlike Jiraiya, however, he had no interest in such distractions.
"I don't get it," Sasuke muttered. "Why would anyone willingly subject themselves to this kind of chaos?"
"Because, unlike you, some people actually enjoy relaxing," Tsunade shot back, stretching her arms above her head. "Besides, the best way to ease battle fatigue is a proper soak."
"Tch." Sasuke crossed his arms. "I'd rather train."
Tatsuya sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Relax, kid. Even shinobi need rest." He paused, glancing toward the separate entrances for men and women. "But you know, I have to admit... I forgot how popular this place is."
Tsunade smirked. "What, feeling shy now? You've seen me in worse conditions on the battlefield."
"Yeah, but that's different," Tatsuya replied dryly. "When we're covered in blood, I'm not exactly focused on appreciating the view."
Sasuke turned away abruptly, exhaling sharply. "Do I really need to hear this conversation?"
Tsunade chuckled, patting his shoulder. "It's good for you, brat. Maybe one day, you'll actually learn something about women."
"Doubtful."
Ignoring the back-and-forth, Tatsuya turned his gaze toward the crowd. The cheerful atmosphere and laughter among bathers were oddly unsettling to him.
Something wasn't right.
His instincts, sharpened by years of battle, told him that trouble was brewing. He couldn't explain it—there was no immediate danger, no sign of enemy chakra, no hostile gazes watching them from the shadows.
Yet, the feeling lingered.
Tsunade noticed his expression shift. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know," Tatsuya admitted. "It's just... something feels off."
Sasuke's Sharingan flared to life for a brief moment, scanning the area. "I don't see anything unusual."
Tatsuya nodded but didn't relax. "Neither do I. And that's exactly what bothers me."
Tsunade sighed. "You're being paranoid. We're in a damn hot spring, not a battlefield. The only thing you should be worried about is whether or not you want sake with your bath."
But Tatsuya couldn't shake the unease.
If the enemy were smart, they wouldn't attack when their target was alert. They would wait for a moment of weakness. A moment of vulnerability.
And what better place to strike than a hot spring?
Meanwhile, in the Shadows…
A figure, cloaked in the steam, observed them from afar.
"So, he's here after all."
A low chuckle.
"I wonder… is the great Tatsuya Hatake still as sharp as the legends claim?"
---
Enjoyed the chapter?
You can read 40 chapters ahead and gain exclusive access to even more content over at P*treon.c*m/Marioni! With over 128 chapters of exclusive content, there's plenty more for you to explore!