On the journey to find the Four-Tails.
It seems that Uchiha Obito's betrayal hit White Zetsu rather hard.
White Zetsu kept badmouthing Uchiha Obito along the way, which was a stark contrast to how Uehara Naraku used to speak highly of Uchiha Obito.
"If it weren't for Uchiha Obito, the traitor, we wouldn't have to act prematurely. The safest way would have been to wait until the Three-Tails fully revived, and then dispatch people to capture all the Jinchuriki in one fell swoop."
White Zetsu sighed softly, somewhat helplessly: "I really don't know why Obito decided to betray us..."
"Alright, let's not talk about that traitor."
Black Zetsu interrupted White Zetsu gruffly and said solemnly, "The most important thing now is to first capture the Four-Tails and the Six-Tails Jinchuriki active in the Ninja World so they don't fall into Uchiha Obito's hands."
"Hmm."
Uehara Naraku nodded beside him, looking somewhat solemn: "Although Obito-senpai's abilities are known to most people, not many can easily counter them. The Jinchuriki might not be his match either."
"Exactly."
After Black Zetsu nodded, he reassuringly smiled sinisterly at Uehara Naraku: "However, Uchiha Obito doesn't know the whereabouts of the Jinchuriki; he can only slowly wait for opportunities.
That traitor trying to snatch the Jinchuriki from the hands of the Five Great Countries without intelligence is a very slim chance."
"Hmm."
Uehara Naraku casually responded.
While Uehara Naraku was verbally placating Black Zetsu, he was secretly controlling Uchiha Obito in his mind, directing him to depart from the Land of Earth's border and catch up with them.
With sufficient intelligence support, Uehara Naraku's group faced no foes along the way and easily reached the current location of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki.
It's said that the name of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki is Roshi, and this guy has an extremely irritable temper and a stubborn personality, much like the rocks of the Hidden Rock Village. Due to not getting along with Third Tsuchikage Onoki, Roshi simply left the village and transformed into a wandering monk.
The life of a wandering monk is...
actually a bit tough.
At present, Roshi was sitting by a small stream, carefully roasting a few fish. Without much money in hand, these fish were his lunch.
"Sun Goku, you don't like roasted fish?"
"Don't like it? Well, there's nothing I can do about it."
"I can't find any peaches in these barren mountains, and anyway, those things don't fill the stomach. I'll have to make do with getting full first."
While roasting fish, Roshi muttered to the Four-Tails inside his belly. Even while wandering outside, he didn't neglect his training.
Apart from practicing Lava Release Ninjutsu, he was also communicating with the Four-Tails inside him.
Over the years, Roshi and Sun Goku's relationship became closer, and he could now wield part of the Four-Tails' power in battle.
Rustle, rustle, rustle...
Rustle, rustle, rustle...
A young ninja tread across the creek towards Roshi, eyeing the fish he was roasting, a fierce expression on his face: "Hey, old man, your roasted fish smells good. I like it. I'll give you a Paper Bomb, hand over your fish to me!"
The young ninja swung around a Paper Bomb as if bestowing mercy, his manner high and mighty, exuding an air of millions.
This young ninja was none other than Uehara Naraku.
Roshi didn't recognize Uehara Naraku and disregarded him, leisurely turning the grill as he slowly spoke: "Out here in the boonies, a Paper Bomb is useless..."
Based on Roshi's observation, this young ninja was likely from a Small Ninja Village on a mission. After all, the Five Great Countries' Ninja Villages would usually keep records of people like him.
Roshi merely took this young ninja as an insolent and ill-mannered fellow.
According to the laws of the Ninja World, the stronger a ninja is, the more restraint they have. A rude guy like this probably wouldn't live long.
If it were on the battlefield, Roshi believed he could kill dozens or even hundreds of such seemingly arrogant yet exceptionally weak ninjas.
For now, Roshi couldn't be bothered with him.
"I'm a ninja lord!"
The young ninja slowly crouched down, glaring fiercely at Roshi before him, full of anger: "Hey, do you dare defy the will of a ninja lord?"
Roshi calmly shook his head, speaking without a ripple of emotion: "Ninjas aren't anything special. Besides, you little brat don't look like a proper ninja..."
What kind of proper ninja is this arrogant?
A ninja seeing someone in the wild should first carefully scout if they're an enemy before deciding to engage, not recklessly rushing out and trying to snatch grilled fish with arrogance!
"You dare insult me?"
The young ninja was furious and swung a punch at Roshi!
Roshi extended his hand, intending to catch the young ninja's fist, even with some regret on his face: "Have today's youths all become like this?"
In the next moment, the young ninja's fist suddenly accelerated!
As a hint of surprise flashed in Roshi's eyes, the fist evaded his defense and landed squarely on his face!
Bam!
Roshi's entire body was sent flying!
The young ninja twisted his wrist, looking at Roshi dismissively and said: "Hmph, that's what you get for offending a ninja lord! Since your fish-roasting skills are decent, I'll spare your life today!"
Roshi stood up, patting the dirt off his body, touching his face's wounds, and looked at the young ninja with eyes gradually growing serious: "With such strength, no wonder you dare to be so arrogant... but strength alone can't determine victory!"
After saying so, Roshi suddenly charged toward the young ninja!
After a fierce Taijutsu fight, Roshi was knocked to the ground again by the young ninja, lying there in a sorry state!
The young ninja kicked him in the waist, cursing, "What? Still dare to fight me? I am a ninja!"
He seemed very proud of his ninja identity.
If it wasn't Roshi, but an ordinary person, they might think this young ninja was someone who bullied civilians by relying on his ninja status.
However, Roshi himself was the Four-tailed Jinchuriki.
This time, Roshi finally sensed something was off.
How could an ordinary young ninja have such strong Taijutsu!
Moreover, Taijutsu must be mastered through years of training, how could a ninja who could spend so much time honing what seems useless Taijutsu be someone who steals grilled fish?
This young ninja has an issue!
Damn, and it's a big issue!
A serious expression gradually appeared on Roshi's face as he dodged the young ninja's attacks, looking seriously at the frivolous youth, his voice turning somber: "Kid, which village sent you?"
"Want to know my village so you can report me?"
The young ninja picked his ear casually, saying, "Even if you report me, it doesn't matter. My teacher is a high-ranking official in the village, and I will soon become the next leader of the village!"
After saying that, the young ninja looked at Roshi contemptuously: "Earlier I kindly used a Paper Bomb to buy your grilled fish, and you dared to refuse me. Just a wandering monk, and you dare to fight me, a ninja?"
"Stop pretending!"
Roshi felt unwell all over.
If it weren't for the Taijutsu exchange just now where Roshi gained no advantage, he might have truly believed this young ninja was just an unruly, impolite, and arrogant passerby.
A youth who seemed only in his teens could surpass him, a seasoned Hidden Rock Jonin, in Taijutsu!
Don't talk nonsense!
Roshi slowly clasped his hands, saying sternly: "Who on earth sent you? Was it that old thing Onoki? Or another village…"
"Onoki… this name sounds familiar…"
The young ninja touched his chin, and the next second his expression changed drastically, stammering: "Isn't that… isn't that the legendary name of the Third Tsuchikage of the Five Great Ninja Villages' Hidden Rock Village? Who are you… How dare you call Onoki by name!"
After hearing Onoki's name, the young ninja obviously became timid, as if he feared this name greatly.
This reaction was normal.
To small ninjas, the Five Great Countries' Ninja Villages were like giants.
But Roshi gritted his teeth, feeling the young ninja in front of him was full of performative traces, angrily shouting: "Kid, stop acting! If you don't speak now, you might be dead in a moment!"
The next moment, Roshi clasped his hands sharply, spewing out a series of lava balls: "Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Jutsu!"
"Fire Release: Flame Storm!"
A mass of flames burst out from the young ninja's hand.
The endless Flame Storm instantly devoured the lava balls, the intense explosion echoing in their ears, the shockwave sweeping over everything around!
Amidst thick smoke.
The shadow of the young ninja slowly emerged, his face still carrying that arrogant expression, now with a bit of surprise: "Ha? No wonder you dared to defy me, turns out you're a ninja too!"
The young ninja gave a cold laugh, clasping his hands, disdainfully saying: "Remember, even among ninjas, there's a difference!"
"Wait…"
Roshi hurriedly stretched out his hand, stopping the young ninja's next move, looking at him strangely: "Don't you know me?"
"Who do you think you are, why should I know you?"
The young ninja curled his lips, mocking: "No matter who you are, daring to fight me, huh, do you know who I am?"
"..."
Roshi's expression was a bit broken.
Damn, was he really overthinking it?
Why does it feel like this young ninja is actually an idiot!
Roshi's mind instantly recalled everything that had happened with the young ninja, clearly the young ninja seemed genuinely uninterested in who he was.
Perhaps a genius from a small Ninja Village.
And he seemed to be spoiled by his elders.
This was also normal.
After all, it wasn't easy for a small Ninja Village to produce some genius ninja, the village leader would certainly be as protective as if they were precious.
"Not an enemy…"
Roshi breathed a sigh of relief, then slowly clenched his fist again, looking at the young ninja and saying sternly: "Looks like I'll have to educate you, a reckless kid, on behalf of the elders in your village!"
Just as Roshi's guard was lowering, Sun Goku within him spoke up as a reminder: "Hey, Roshi, don't relax! That kid's Chakra exceeds your imagination, I feel his Chakra is very dangerous!"
"Hmm, rest assured."
Roshi fully agreed.