The next day, outside Konoha Village, Gekko Chiyan had already set off toward Takigakure with his teammates.
"Hey, Suzaku, Shibi."
"So we're really just going to Takigakure for reconnaissance this time?"
"If a real fight breaks out, I'll be the first one running away."
Gekko Chiyan glanced at the two beside him and teased playfully.
Nara Suzaku was a tokubetsu jonin from the Nara clan—well, basically just a chunin. But because he knew secret techniques and came from the Nara family, he held the title of Special Jonin.
Aburame Shibi was a tokubetsu jonin too—and father of Aburame Shino, one of the future Next Generation Twelve. Hmph! He was also basically just a chunin!
"You? You're even lazier than me!"
"This mission is about Takigakure's movements, but honestly, it's just a formality. After all, Takigakure is extremely well hidden."
"It's behind an enormous waterfall. Even if we wanted to get in, it'd take some effort."
The Nara clan formed the "Deer" part of the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, Konoha's intellectual power. Every single clan member served as brilliant tactical commanders.
"Suzaku's right. Takigakure is the only village outside the Five Great Shinobi Nations that possesses a tailed beast."
"They didn't participate in the Second Great Ninja War, but we still need to confirm their current status."
Chiyan naturally understood all this, and besides, Takigakure had never established diplomatic ties with outsiders.
This trip would most likely just be a routine recon mission.
But still... Chōmei, the Seven-Tails…
Truthfully, he found that rather intriguing.
He wondered who Chōmei's jinchuriki was at this point. If the Seven-Tails was still sealed away, he wouldn't mind making a little effort.
After all, each jinchuriki represented something truly worth aspiring to.
Most importantly, among all the tailed beasts, only the Seven-Tails could fly!
Gekko Chiyan had to admit—he desperately needed a technique like that.
Takigakure lay northwest of Konoha Village, surrounded by a massive waterfall.
Its geographical location was incredibly strategic—easily defended and difficult to attack.
After traveling for two days, Gekko Chiyan and his companions stared at the colossal waterfall in the distance, stunned.
Such a naturally-formed natural barrier was truly rare.
"So this is the waterfall hiding Takigakure? It really is magnificent," Nara Suzaku exclaimed in admiration.
Beside him, Shibi Aburame and Chiyan nodded in agreement.
"Chiyan, your kekkei genkai is perfect for scouting. Once we enter the waterfall, the recon's on you."
"Takigakure won't allow strangers to enter freely."
"All we can do is create an opportunity for you."
Chiyan stood there, dazed. Dammit, they'd been planning this all along!
"This must be The Third Hokage's idea!"
"He's getting back at me! I caught him peeping last time! Definitely him!" Gekko Chiyan angrily accused his leader, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
That old bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi must be plotting revenge on me.
At the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was flipping through some documents, sneezed dozens of times in a row.
Finally stopping, he grumbled unhappily, "It's definitely those bastards Gekko Chiyan or Jiraiya talking trash about me!"
"They even exposed me during our last peeping session! Hmph! You little brat Gekko Chiyan, just scram and go do your mission already!"
...
Indeed, those who understand you best are undoubtedly comrades with similar interests.
The three perverts of Konoha Village knew each other extremely well. Just like how Gekko Chiyan knew Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi were both hopelessly lecherous.
Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly knew that Gekko Chiyan was extremely cowardly!
So he specially arranged a tailor-made mission for him, making him literally tread on thin ice.
"Mind your language, Chiyan."
"Alright, prepare yourself and get started."
Gekko Chiyan felt terrible. Why did he have to take on this scouting mission?
"The ninja from Takigakure Village must have set up defenses at the waterfall."
"That's why I'll use [Shadow Tentacle Jutsu] to activate their protective mechanisms. Then you can just walk right in."
[Shibi's insects will provide assistance from the side.] These insects will help you infiltrate unnoticed. Chiyan, I'm counting on you.
Hell! They'd already figured out a way inside too. These guys really were one scheming bunch!
Without hesitation, Suzaku immediately used [Kage Tentacle Jutsu] to capture a wild boar...
Watching the restrained wild boar struggling furiously, Gekko Chiyan could only stare in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Shibi stretched out his right hand and several bugs instantly landed on the boar.
"These insects will help you infiltrate unnoticed."
"Go now, Chiyan. We'll back you up from outside."
Looking at Suzaku and Shibi's sincere expressions,
Gekko Chiyan really wanted to say, Thanks a lot to your entire families!
Then he activated his [Kekkei Genkai Transparent Escape] (innate intangibility technique), vanishing from sight.
Just as the two marveled at his technique, he cleverly left behind on a nearby tree: [Your daddy's here.]
This was his fallback strategy—if anything went sideways, he'd bail right away.
After all, wasn't he supposed to learn [Flying Thunder God Technique] precisely for quick getaways?
"Alright then, control your pig and ram it into that waterfall!"
Nothing at all wrong with that statement.
However, to Suzaku's ears, something about it sounded slightly suspicious.
But since Chiyan had already vanished from sight, there was no way to see him anyway.
He could only use his Kage Tentacle Jutsu to slowly drag the wild boar toward the base of the waterfall.
As the boar touched the waterfall, suddenly it seemed as though a gate opened within the cascading water.
Four or five figures abruptly appeared outside the waterfall.
"Huh? A wild boar?"
"Why would a wild boar trigger our alarm?"
"Who knows. Whatever, at least it's meat. We can have barbecue tonight."
A group of Takigakure ninja watched the frantically writhing boar before them with slight frustration.
No one noticed how several tiny insects quietly flew into the waterfall.
.
.
Inside Takigakure Village, atop a tree.
"So this is Takigakure Village..."
"Hey, Shibi, you sure those bugs are up to the job? Try not to blow our cover."
By now, Gekko Chiyan had already deactivated his Transparent Escape Mode. Since he was already inside, he needed to recover some chakra before proceeding with further actions.
Looking at Komushi crawling in front of him, Chiyan felt extremely helpless.
Undeniably, Takigakure Village, built within the waterfall, appeared fairly developed.
Even compared to Konoha Village… Well, it's still no match…
Suddenly, Gekko Chiyan's eyes locked onto a particularly unusual location. His eyes locked onto it and refused to look away.
A slight smile curled on his lips as he murmured, "A hot spring bathhouse built right inside a waterfall… Ah…"
"It seems like an excellent place for gathering information."
"This kind of place must be Jiraiya's favorite spot. Now then, looks like it's up to me this time!"
"If I don't take one for the team, who will!"
.
To provide a better reading experience, I have re-optimized the translations of all the books under this channel. The current translation quality has been taken to the next level. Moving forward, updates will be accelerated to catch up with the original release schedule. Happy reading, everyone!