NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 61: Chapter 61
"As an elite Jonin, you don't have the authority of the Hokage."
"Right... just like Shin said, you're surprisingly level-headed for a kid."
Jiraiya's face twitched at the determination in Tetsuya's gaze. With a sigh, he rummaged around in his robes and then handed Tetsuya a scroll.
"A mission scroll?"
"More specifically, a summoning."
The item Jiraiya passed him was an official order, signed by none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi. It detailed that Team Thirteen was now temporarily under Jiraiya's command. The scroll also mentioned that their mission would be compensated appropriately according to the level of difficulty.
Tetsuya's brows furrowed as he read. So, they were officially conscripted. He sighed inwardly but nodded respectfully, passing the scroll back. There was no sense in protesting, and at least now they'd be compensated fairly.
"Looks like you're my direct subordinate now, kid," Jiraiya said with a grin. "So, what do you say?"
"Then I'll follow Jiraiya-sama's orders."
They'd better hope their luck held out, he thought, as he tucked the matter away in his mind.
---
The mist-laden isle of Fog Island was known for its treacherous location, eternally shrouded in fog and thick sea mist, making it almost a death trap for most sailors. Despite this, a handful had managed to cross its perilous waters over the centuries.
In the middle of a choppy sea, their small ship plowed forward, slowly nearing the shadowy form of the island.
"Alright, listen up, kids!" Jiraiya called over the lapping waves. "Keep those toads I gave you close. They're not just for show—when the time comes, they'll be our only means of communication."
The toads he referred to were miniature summonings from Mount Myōboku, hanging off each of their belts. Despite their small size—each no bigger than a clenched fist—these toads would serve as their lifeline in the island's unknown dangers.
As they entered the foggy waters, visibility dropped sharply. Even with her Sharingan activated, Mikoto could only see a few meters ahead. Following an old, tattered sea map, the group moved cautiously forward, watching the shadowed shapes of towering trees and unknown creatures drift in and out of sight.
It was like entering a land frozen in time, where ancient life forms roamed and mysterious silhouettes flitted just out of reach. Yet even here, there seemed to be an unspoken rule: every creature instinctively avoided the western part of the island, as though something terrifying lurked there.
---
In the western part of Fog Island, a concealed cave lay tucked away behind layers of barriers. Unlike the thick mist outside, the inside of the cave was brightly illuminated, revealing a small group of hidden Mist Village ninja.
"Lord Kamikawa, this is the full report," came a nervous voice. Kneeling before a dark figure, two Mist shinobi—Seiken and a special Jonin who had recently escaped Tetsuya's squad—looked down in shame.
"A squad of three couldn't handle even a single Leaf team?" Kamikawa's cold voice echoed, the disdain clear.
Seiken and his partner flinched. "W-we apologize, Lord Kamikawa. Our mission... failed."
Kamikawa's gaze could have cut steel. "Pathetic. Three whole squads, and you still managed to lose so many men."
The Mist Village wasn't known for being lenient in its punishments. Just the look on the shinobi's faces showed they were vividly aware of the kinds of consequences failure could bring.
"However," Kamikawa continued, "we're short on manpower. For now, I'll overlook this failure. But if you mess up again…" His eyes turned to slits. "The ocean will be your final resting place."
Relief flooded their faces. "Thank you, Lord Kamikawa! We won't disappoint you again."
After a tense silence, they backed out of the cave, visibly shaken but alive—a rare luxury after a failed mission. For now, they'd evaded punishment, and that was all they could ask for.
"You'll have ten additional Chunin under your command," Kamikawa added, his tone sharp. "You know what to do. Eliminate any Uzumaki shinobi who stand in your way."
When the two exited, the cave fell silent once more. If Kamikawa's words were anything to go by, the Mist Village's foothold on Fog Island was only a fraction of their actual presence. Their true network was far more complex and extensive.
---
Roughly half an hour later, the tranquility of the cave was disturbed again. Two more ninja entered the barrier, their expressions grave as they approached Kamikawa.
"Lord Kamikawa, we have news! There's been an intruder sighted heading straight for Fog Island!"
Navigating through Fog Island's treacherous waters was nearly impossible for outsiders, but for the Mist Village, masters of the sea, this land was like a hidden fortress. The fact that an outsider dared approach was enough to make even Kamikawa sit up with interest.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, Jiraiya, Shin, and Team Thirteen continued their approach, oblivious to the forces gathering ahead.
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