Chapter 632 A Necklace Worth Three Mines

“The situation is very unfavorable for us right now; we must resolve the Hidden Mist Village forces as quickly as possible.”

Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was discussing the war situation with Lord Mu Yue.

“Understood, I will defeat the Hidden Mist as soon as conditions allow,” Lord Mu Yue nodded.

“Then I await your good news,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a chuckle.

If it weren’t for the lack of suitable candidates, he truly didn’t want Lord Mu Yue to go to the battlefield now—this was a combination of a super genius and Wood Release.

“Regarding troop personnel, Lord Mu Yue, do you have any requests?”

As long as the people Lord Mu Yue requested were not on secret missions, Hiruzen Sarutobi could provide them, to facilitate Lord Mu Yue’s plans.

“Kakashi and the others, perhaps; it’s been a while since they’ve had a mission,” Lord Mu Yue replied.

Although it seemed like an ordinary defeat, Lord Mu Yue felt that Uchiha Madara must have intervened.

After all, Konoha’s current predicament was itself the result of Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu secretly fanning the flames.

Lord Mu Yue could see Uchiha Madara’s objective: nothing more than to make the situation more chaotic, creating more opportunities to act.

However, Uchiha Madara was facing Lord Mu Yue, who knew the plot.

He knew that Uchiha Madara wanted to find a successor, so Lord Mu Yue would not give him the chance; no matter how chaotic the situation, with him leading his disciples on missions, Uchiha Madara’s conspiracy would be difficult to succeed.

“Alright, but Kakashi and the others are your disciples, Lord Mu Yue; you can notify them yourself. The Ninja forces have already begun to assemble,” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said.

Because of Lord Mu Yue, Hiruzen Sarutobi had almost never actively arranged missions for Kakashi and the others; it was always based on their own wishes.

Bidding farewell to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Lord Mu Yue sent a Shadow Clone to the training team to notify Shisui, while his main body went to the South Border Forest.

In the original work, Uchiha Madara targeted Obito, but Lord Mu Yue couldn’t rule out the possibility that Uchiha Madara might have Shisui as a backup, so Shisui also had to be taken along to prevent any accidents.

When Lord Mu Yue arrived at the South Border Forest, his disciples were still training.

“Everyone, if you need to, go home and pack. We’re about to go on a mission,” Lord Mu Yue called out, stopping them.

Obito became interested, but before he could ask, Lord Mu Yue continued:

“Although this mission won’t take us out of the Land of Fire and will still be within the country, it’s still a battlefield, and we’ll be fighting against the Hidden Mist Village Ninja forces.”

“It’s a large-scale war mission,” Obito’s expression became a bit more serious.

He wasn’t a novice who had never been on a battlefield; he understood the dangers of war.

“It’s actually within the country, and it’s Hidden Mist Village Ninja,” Kakashi showed a thoughtful expression.

Due to his recent full immersion in training, he hadn’t paid much attention to the Ninja World situation.

Even so, Kakashi could still sense some issues from Konoha’s overall atmosphere.

“Lord Mu Yue, will Shisui participate in this mission?” Kakashi thought for a moment and asked.

Konoha’s current situation was not good, which meant Lord Mu Yue’s chances of encountering trouble on the battlefield would be higher.

Currently, they were still far from a powerhouse like Lord Mu Yue, but they were already beyond what an ordinary Jonin could compare to. So Kakashi hoped Lord Mu Yue would also bring Shisui, adding more strength.

They had promised to change the future together.

“Yes, I sent a Shadow Clone to notify him,” Lord Mu Yue replied.

“Lord Mu Yue, after we prepare, should we return to the South Border Forest, or where should we gather?” Rin Nohara asked.

“Go to Training Ground Eleven; the Ninja forces will gather there.”

“Lord Mu Yue, and everyone, goodbye. I’m going back to get some things.” Rin Nohara was the first to smile, wave goodbye, and depart.

Then Kakashi and Obito also said goodbye and left; they needed to replenish their Ninja tools.

Might Guy didn’t need to replenish Ninja tools, but going to the battlefield was no small matter, so he had to inform his family and also went home.

Yamato was in class at this time, so Lord Mu Yue didn’t disturb him, but he arranged for someone to notify him.

Next, Lord Mu Yue went to Lady Tsunade’s house.

Lady Tsunade was initially quite happy, thinking she could mooch another meal, but when she heard Lord Mu Yue say he was going to the battlefield, her face instantly fell.

“Why are there so many scoundrels in this Ninja World? Can’t it just be peaceful for a few more years?” Lady Tsunade couldn’t help but sigh.

Missing one meal was irrelevant; Lady Tsunade was worried she might not get any more in the future.

“Did you come here just to say that, or do you want me to go to the battlefield with you?”

“Not really, because I still have to command the troops. Even if Lady Tsunade you came to the battlefield with me, I wouldn’t be able to make you three meals a day,” Lord Mu Yue tactfully refused.

Lady Tsunade’s strength was good, and her medical skills were extremely high, possessing powerful healing abilities. But currently, the issues with Lady Tsunade herself hadn’t been resolved, so her full strength couldn’t be utilized, and she couldn’t provide much assistance to Lord Mu Yue.

It was better for Lady Tsunade to remain in Konoha, which was safer.

“Three meals a day? My appearance fee should at least be four meals a day, right?”

Lady Tsunade crossed her arms, looking displeased, unsure if she felt underestimated by Lord Mu Yue or genuinely thought the compensation was too little.

“Yes, after all, Lady Tsunade, you are the strongest Medical Ninja in the Ninja World,” Lord Mu Yue said in a monotone.

“That is common knowledge,” Lady Tsunade stated, indicating that greatness needed no elaboration.

Immediately after, Lady Tsunade thought of something, showing hesitation, but finally took off the necklace around her neck and said:

“Are you still learning Wood Release? If so, you can borrow this necklace for a while. This necklace was left by my grandfather and contains his Chakra.”

After speaking, Lady Tsunade emphasized, “It’s a loan, not a gift. This necklace is very valuable; selling it could buy three mines. You must return it to me after you’ve developed Wood Release.”

Lord Mu Yue looked at the necklace in Lady Tsunade’s palm. This necklace was quite famous, also known as the Death Necklace.

In the original work, Lady Tsunade gave it to three people: Nawaki, Kato Dan, and Naruto.

Of the three, all but Naruto died on the battlefield. Although Naruto didn’t die, the necklace broke.

Although it sounded like a cursed item, Lady Tsunade wasn’t lying; this necklace was indeed very valuable. It could even be categorized as a high-level Ninja tool, with the effect of suppressing Tailed Beast Chakra.

“I’ve been a bit busy lately and forgot to tell you, but I’ve actually already mastered Wood Release,” Lord Mu Yue said with a faint smile, forming a hand sign and condensing Wood Release Chakra, causing a large tree to grow in Lady Tsunade’s small courtyard.

“Hmm?!” Lady Tsunade’s eyes widened, looking at Lord Mu Yue and the rapidly growing tree with surprise.

Lady Tsunade was dumbfounded. Someone could actually develop Wood Release? Wasn’t this her grandfather’s unique Bloodline Limit?

At this moment, Lady Tsunade even suspected she was under a Genjutsu.

She silently formed a hand sign, wanting to release the Genjutsu, but found her Chakra was very stable, with no signs of being under Genjutsu at all.

“How did you do that?” Lady Tsunade couldn’t help but ask.

“By reading the material,” Lord Mu Yue replied as if it were obvious.

Lady Tsunade: …

She had also read those documents, so why hadn’t she learned Wood Release? A strong sense of defeat welled up in her heart.

Who would understand? She, the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama, hadn’t learned Wood Release, but someone unrelated to Senju Hashirama had.

“Why are you so troublesome? You’ve only just developed Wood Release; you still have so much to learn. Just tell me if you want it or not,” Lady Tsunade extended her hand to Lord Mu Yue.

Seeing Lady Tsunade somewhat flustered, Lord Mu Yue didn’t bring up the topic of Wood Release again, took the necklace, and sincerely said thank you.

He didn’t need the necklace to research Wood Release, but researching this necklace was indeed useful. If he could master similar techniques, he could create an accessory to give to Kushina.

“Although it’s a loan, it’s not free. There’s interest,” Lady Tsunade continued.

“For every day you borrow it, you owe me one meal; two days, two meals, and so on until you return the necklace to me.”

“I hate unpaid debts the most. If you don’t return it, watch me beat your disciples half to death, especially that impolite goggle kid.”

With that, Lady Tsunade raised her fair fist.

“Then I’ll try to return to Konoha and repay the debt as soon as possible,” Lord Mu Yue waved goodbye.

Lady Tsunade was not a straightforward person. Although her words were full of threats, Lord Mu Yue could feel her concern.

“That had better be the case,” Lady Tsunade replied, waving her hand casually.

“Lord Mu Yue, I hope you can complete the mission smoothly and safely,” Shizune, who was beside them, offered her farewell blessing.

Lord Mu Yue smiled at Shizune and then turned to walk towards the Training Ground.

“Lady Tsunade is really not direct. She’s clearly worried about Lord Mu Yue, yet she didn’t say a single kind word,” Shizune complained after they entered the house.

As an observer, she had seen it very clearly from the side.

“Of course I’m worried about him! If he doesn’t come back, my necklace, worth three mines, will be gone!” Lady Tsunade said, pinching Shizune’s fair little face.

“Mmm… not that,” Shizune struggled to speak.

Although she was still young, she didn’t believe everything.

“I think you’re too idle, Shizune,” Lady Tsunade tugged on Shizune’s small face and immediately assigned her a medical problem that couldn’t be solved in a day.

…

When Lord Mu Yue arrived at the Training Ground, the Ninja forces were almost fully assembled.

“Commander Muzuki.”

“Lord Mu Yue.”

The Ninja on the Training Ground all greeted Lord Mu Yue.

Due to the large number of people, even if Lord Mu Yue knew all of them and their names, he couldn’t respond to each one individually, so he could only nod in acknowledgment to a group of people.

“Senior Chen, Jonin Mimurabe.” It was only when Lord Mu Yue walked over to the Jonin holding important positions that he could respond to them individually.

“Commander Muzuki, currently the unit…” Mimurabe Ketsu reported the unit’s situation to Lord Mu Yue.

This time, Mimurabe Ketsu and Teacher Chen both served as deputy commanders.

“So many Ninja, much more than last time.” Obito, walking into the Training Ground, observed the Ninja forces.

Last time, the Ninja forces led by Lord Mu Yue only had five hundred people; this time, there were many more. Obito roughly calculated and felt there might be over a thousand.

“But last time was to support the Toad Sage, the situation is different.”

Kakashi, about to explain, glanced slightly sideways.

“Hey, Kakashi, what kind of look is that? I’m not just someone who only cares about fighting and knows nothing else, alright?” Obito said displeased, looking at Kakashi’s slightly surprised gaze.

“Oh, then you’re really amazing, Obito,” Kakashi praised in a flat, emotionless tone.

“To say words of praise in such an annoying way, it’s probably only you,” Obito deeply felt Kakashi’s sarcasm.

He should have taken a detour; that way, he wouldn’t have run into Kakashi on the way.

“You two get along so well! Did you purposely come together?” Rin Nohara, entering the Training Ground, smiled at the familiar scene and greeted them.

“No!” x2

“We just happened to meet on the way,” Obito quickly explained.

He hadn’t even specifically arranged to come with Rin Nohara, so how could he possibly go look for Kakashi?

“I had no intention of being late. Waiting for Obito is a very troublesome thing,” Kakashi said indifferently.

Obito couldn’t help but glare at Kakashi. He hadn’t been late in a long time, because he could use Shadow Clone to help elderly people.

“Shisui, how’s work recently?” Obito suddenly noticed Shisui had also arrived and immediately greeted him.

Compared to bickering with Kakashi, it was better to care for his good friend and clan junior.

Because Shisui had been quite busy lately, they hadn’t chatted much even when they met.

“It’s good, going smoothly,” Shisui replied while greeting the others.

After a few exchanges, the group walked towards Lord Mu Yue together.

Seeing Lord Mu Yue discussing Ninja forces with other Jonin, they didn’t interrupt and chose to stand nearby.

“Ahem.”

Once all the Ninja forces had arrived, Lord Mu Yue coughed twice to signal for silence, then began to speak.

“Our opponent is the Hidden Mist Village forces roaming the East Coast…”

Without too much of a speech, Lord Mu Yue simply explained the mission and then led the troops towards the eastern part of the Land of Fire.

“Now the Hidden Mist has dispersed their forces again; there are active traces of many Hidden Mist Village squads from the northeast to the southeast.” During a break, the high-ranking members of the Ninja forces were holding a strategy meeting.

“Divide the teams and act separately?” a Konoha Jonin suggested.

“Not very stable. Elder Mitokado fell into a Hidden Mist trap exactly like that,” Mimurabe Ketsu shook his head.

They couldn’t possibly fall into the same pit again.

“But concentrating forces to clear a certain area would be very inefficient,” the Konoha Ninja who spoke first raised the issue.

Ninja have very high mobility, and with the Ninja forces being a large target, they might not even clear half the area before the other half has all fled.

For a moment, the Jonin couldn’t reach a consensus.

On the other side, Kakashi and his few disciples were also sitting together, chatting.

Their strength was not weak, but their experience was too shallow. Even Kakashi, with the most experience, had not been assigned an important position.

“You must be careful when fighting the enemy. I heard that Konoha just suffered a defeat, and it was done by this Hidden Mist Village force we’re about to fight,” Obito said, sharing the intelligence he gained from chatting with other Ninja.

“On the battlefield, Ninja from any Village must be careful. Konoha’s situation is not optimistic recently; it might be Lord Mu Yue’s life-or-death crisis,” Kakashi whispered.

Lord Mu Yue’s death was a mystery, but Kakashi had analyzed it countless times. Both in terms of timing and rationality, it should be related to the Shinobi World War, but he didn’t know which war it was.

All the disciples’ expressions became serious.

PS:

I have to work tomorrow, so I can’t stay up late tonight. This is the only update.