Among the figures entering from outside, besides Kakashi whom she had anticipated in advance, there were also Gai, along with Lee, Neji, Tenten, and the rest of Team Guy that he led.
From this, one could see just how seriously Tsunade took this matter. Kakashi, Gai, and herself—this was already an extremely high-level configuration.
"Ah le ah le, although there's nothing much to it, I still have to explain. The reason we arrived a bit late is because we first went to scout the situation before coming here.
Also, although I'm your teacher, when you say things like that, I do feel a bit disappointed. Why does Gai make you feel at ease, but you don't even mention me at all?"
"Oh, I see. As for why I didn't mention you, Kakashi-sensei, it's because in my heart, my trust in you goes without saying. Ha~"
From Kakashi's understanding of Furina, that exaggerated act of hers was most likely something she came up with on the spot. But while he knew better, the Gai beside him was different.
Gai's impression of Furina still lingered on her heroic feat of facing Orochimaru alone to protect Tsunade. Thus, he had no doubt whatsoever about what Furina said.
"Haha, trust that doesn't need words to express? That's truly enviable, Kakashi. I admit you've done very well in this regard, but we won't admit defeat either, right, Lee?"
"That's right, Gai-sensei! We absolutely won't admit defeat!"
Upon hearing this, Lee immediately responded. In an instant, the master and disciple seemed to ignite with passion. Meanwhile, Neji and Tenten quietly stepped back two paces, increasing the distance from Gai and Lee.
This was still a bit too advanced for them.
"See that, Kakashi? This is youth!"
"Heh ha." To his good friend's question, Kakashi only smiled and nodded, completely unaffected—clearly long accustomed to such scenes.
"Oh right, this is..."
Skipping over Gai's topic, Kakashi also looked toward Uchiha Hikari, who was standing very close to Furina. Curiosity was evident in his eyes. He had noticed the other earlier but had not asked right away because of Gai.
Although Kakashi did not recognize her, he could guess she was most likely not one of Shion's people. He knew Furina did not like strangers getting too close to her. For her to allow this showed their relationship was definitely very good.
"Her? Oh, I forgot to introduce her to you all. Her name is Hikari. She's a wandering ninja and a good friend I made elsewhere before. This time, for the matter in the Land of Demons, she was worried about my safety and came along with me."
"A wandering ninja, huh..."
Murmuring this, Kakashi's gaze gradually became more meaningful. While called a wandering ninja, most wandering ninjas in the ninja world were actually missing-nin from various villages.
"Wandering ninja" was basically just a nicer term for missing-nin. For example, Zabuza could also be considered a wandering ninja, but in essence, he was still a missing-nin.
"Kakashi-sensei, staring at someone like that is very impolite, you know—especially since she's a girl."
Furina naturally noticed Kakashi's gaze. She immediately moved to stand between Uchiha Hikari and Kakashi, blocking his line of sight.
Although Furina's words were still full of teasing, her clear protectiveness toward the other was evident. Kakashi's face soon returned to a smile.
He could do without seniors who liked to meddle in other people's affairs.
"Haha, got it. I'm Kakashi Hatake, Furina's former instructor. Pleased to meet you from now on."
"You're the legendary Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake? I didn't expect one of the supporting ninjas to be you. This is a huge help. On behalf of everyone in the Land of Demons, thank you."
After hearing Kakashi's self-introduction, a hint of excitement appeared on Shion's previously indifferent face again. Kakashi was quite famous in the ninja world.
She had not recognized him earlier only because she had never seen him in person, but she had certainly heard of his reputation.
Moreover, compared to the young Furina and Uchiha Hikari, a ninja like Kakashi—who had been renowned for many years—indeed seemed far more reliable.
They could not possibly go save the world relying on a few kids, right? That would be a joke. (lol)
"That's right, and there's also me—Kakashi's eternal rival, Konoha's Blue Beast, Might Guy!"
Although Guy was not as renowned in the ninja world as Kakashi, Shion still thanked him one by one. No matter who they were, as people who had come at great personal risk to help them, Shion was genuinely grateful from the bottom of her heart.
"What about me? What about me?" After thanking everyone else, Furina noticed the other seemed to have forgotten her. She immediately moved in front of Shion again, looking all ears.
Looking at the blue figure practically sticking to her, Shion instinctively leaned back a little. But then she realized there was no reason for her to do so. Her face full of displeasure, she gritted her teeth.
"Thank you too."
...
"While we were out scouting earlier, we saw Mōryō's immortal legion marching in this direction. Their bodies are all made of stone. Perhaps because of Mōryō's special power,
once destroyed, they recover to their original state in no time. Attacking them has no meaning beyond delaying their advance. So the key to solving the problem should still lie with Mōryō himself."
After the commotion died down, Kakashi also explained to Furina what they had seen and heard earlier. After all, in this mission to deal with Mōryō, her strength was indispensable.
Moreover, that girl named Hikari did not seem simple to Kakashi either. But with Furina guarding her like a protective hen—watching him like a potential thief—he could not probe too much.
But that was fine. Sealing Mōryō this time would be no easy task. The other would most likely have to act eventually. He could observe then.
"Immortal legion, huh... That does sound quite troublesome. The main focus does need to be on Mōryō."
Although she said this, Furina did not take the so-called immortal legion seriously at all. An army made of stone—even with Mōryō's enhancement—could only have so much durability.
And Furina did not believe those stones could recover without any cost after being destroyed. There had to be at least some consumption of Mōryō's power, however small. But it would definitely exist.
As long as it accumulated bit by bit, Mōryō would eventually be unable to sustain it. At that point, the immortal legion would meet its end.
It was just that, as she had said, that approach would be too troublesome. It was far simpler to go straight after Mōryō himself.