"Tomorrow?"
At noon, Lin Yu received another message from Ji Ba and the others, informing him that the flower-picking bandit Ci Xian would appear at this time tomorrow.
"In that case, the timing should be about right."
After settling Kushina, Lin Yu headed towards the Hokage's office. He needed to request a few days of leave and take a few people with him.
Kushina was sleeping soundly in the room. Although the Undying Netherflame had severed the life connection between the jinchuriki and the tailed beast, the departure of Kurama had still caused quite some impact. However, she would recover with a few more days of rest.
Lin Yu also planned to inform Minato Namikaze about the jinchuriki matter.
At the Hokage's office, Lin Yu stated his intentions to Minato Namikaze as soon as he entered.
"Requesting leave? And you got rid of the jinchuriki?"
Minato Namikaze's eyes widened. This was even more shocking than the news he had received recently about the Hidden Cloud Village being invaded by the Akatsuki.
"Did Kushina disappear, or did you 'take care of' the Nine-Tails as well?"
"Cough, it's exactly as it sounds. The jinchuriki profession has been phased out, and I've decided to set the Nine-Tails free," Lin Yu explained.
"Releasing a tailed beast? Won't the jinchuriki then..."
"There's no need to worry about that. I've already solved it, and the Nine-Tails has been sealed within me," Lin Yu replied.
Minato Namikaze spread his hands. "Since you've already done it all, why are you even asking me, the Hokage?"
"Just to inform you, and to take a few people with me."
"Who?"
"Shisui and Itachi. I'm sorry, I forgot to mention, they are part of the organization now!"
"What! Even Uchiha Itachi?" Minato Namikaze looked astonished. He remembered Itachi wasn't even ten years old yet. He already had the strength to join the organization?
"Lin Yu-senpai, what are your thoughts on the Uchiha clan?" Minato Namikaze couldn't help but ask.
"No particular thoughts. We can discuss these matters later. I have something important to do right now."
Lin Yu waved his hand at Minato Namikaze and disappeared from the office.
"Sigh, honestly." Minato Namikaze let out a breath. Although he didn't know what was happening, since Lin Yu-senpai hadn't notified him, the situation shouldn't be too dire.
"I hope nothing goes wrong."
...
The next moment, Lin Yu appeared at the Uchiha compound. Itachi was currently accompanying Sasuke in practicing shuriken throws.
"Sorry to disturb you."
Upon seeing Lin Yu, Itachi soothed Sasuke before walking towards Lin Yu, leaving Sasuke to pout and throw shuriken with all his might, as if he were treating the target as Lin Yu.
"Teacher Lin Yu, is something wrong?"
Lin Yu's hands glowed with a green light as he began healing Itachi's injuries. "Something unexpected has come up, and I need to ask you to go somewhere."
Itachi glanced back at Sasuke and said softly, "Is it urgent?"
"It's very urgent, and you won't be going alone this time."
Lin Yu decided to send Itachi to the Land of Rice first. Given Itachi's speed, he should be able to reach it before nightfall.
"Alright."
Itachi turned back and shook his head at Sasuke, indicating that he couldn't continue practicing with him.
"Damn it! This rotten red-head, stinky red-head! How dare he steal my brother!"
Sasuke kept throwing shuriken, as if trying to hit Lin Yu with them.
Lin Yu completely ignored Sasuke's current outburst and handed a scroll to Itachi. "The mission requirements are written inside. Be careful!"
"I will."
Itachi took the scroll and returned to his room to prepare. Lin Yu, meanwhile, chuckled at Sasuke, who was flailing his arms at him. "Go play with your Naruto!"
"Whose Naruto! I don't want to play with that idiot Naruto!"
Sasuke's little face turned red with anger. This red-head not only stole his brother but also mocked him. How detestable!
Lin Yu smiled faintly and his figure slowly disappeared from his spot.
Sasuke stared at the place where Lin Yu had vanished, clenching his fist and vowing silently!
He would definitely get his revenge! If he couldn't, he'd just beat up Naruto to vent his frustration!
...
At the Eternal Life Organization's base, Obito leisurely watched Shisui prepare to go out and earn money.
Or rather, to return to Konoha to accept missions. The others were preparing to head to the Bounty Exchange to earn rewards.
Here come another group of people trying to steal business from Kakuzu!
Obito couldn't help but say, "Shisui, have you considered switching jobs? We have a salary here."
"Sigh!"
Upon hearing about the salary in the Akatsuki, Shisui sighed. However, he still said, "Actually, Teacher Lin Yu treats us quite well. There aren't many missions, and he's never assigned any overly dangerous ones."
That was true. The Eternal Life Organization had at most one or two missions a year, which made Obito truly envious. He considered himself lucky if he could get two consecutive days of rest in the Akatsuki!
Obito pondered if he should switch jobs. Even though there was no salary, with his strength, he could support two or three Kakashis!
Just then, Lin Yu's figure suddenly appeared beside Obito, patting his shoulder. "Obito, Shisui, I have an extremely arduous mission for you both!"
"..."
Obito glanced strangely at Shisui. Did Shisui have the potential to be a jinx?
No sooner had he spoken than something happened, and it involved him too. This was just asking for trouble!
"The enemy this time is beyond anything we've faced before. Even I'm not entirely confident."
Seeing how serious Lin Yu was, Obito immediately thought of something and blurted out,
"Is it the Ōtsutsuki clan? Have they appeared?"
Lin Yu nodded. He hadn't expected Obito to remember the lie he had told him before.
Excellent, no need for further explanation now.
"What are you two talking about? What Ōtsutsuki clan?" Shisui asked, confused.
"Obito will explain that to you. This enemy is very powerful, so don't let your guard down."
Obito explained to Shisui, "Shisui, all you need to know is that their goal is to destroy the entire ninja world. I'll tell you the rest on the way."
"Destroy the ninja world?" Shisui's eyes changed. Wasn't that equivalent to destroying Konoha? He would never allow it!
"More accurately, to harvest all life in the ninja world and extract all the essence from this planet."
Lin Yu didn't elaborate further; he had other matters to arrange.
"Go to the Land of Rice to rendezvous with Itachi. He's already gone ahead of you."
"Brother Itachi! Then I must hurry!"
Upon hearing that Itachi had gone to face the terrifying enemy alone, Shisui immediately threw Obito aside and rushed towards the exit of the base.
"Honestly, I could have given him a ride."
Obito watched Shisui's anxious back, seeing a glimpse of his past self. He shook his head, and then his figure was engulfed by a swirling vortex.
"I hope they don't lose too quickly..."
Lin Yu didn't tell them about Ci Xian's abilities. This wasn't because Lin Yu was selfish and wanted to make a dramatic entrance later, but rather to let them grow through battle.
Even if they died, he would have their backs.
Not only Itachi and Shisui, but Obito also had room for growth. This required a bit of stimulation, a bit of motivation.