Chapter 188: Ninja, Is She Very Powerful?
Kakuzu fell silent.
He didn't know what to say.
He recalled that Deva Path Pain had specifically instructed Konan to watch out for the Tianming Organization fishing in troubled waters when recruiting members.
But he hadn't expected that they still failed to guard against it.
"Big Bro Kakuzu, why aren't you saying anything?"
Uzumaki Menma downed his cola in one breath, feeling exceptionally refreshed.
It was just that the damaged Akatsuki Organization clothes didn't quite fit the mood.
"When did you join the Tianming Organization?"
Kakuzu looked up at him.
For a moment, he actually hoped the answer was that he was forced, just like himself, rather than being an undercover agent from the very beginning.
"Probably when it was founded."
Uzumaki Menma thought for a moment and said.
He was the main body's Shadow Clone, and the main body was the founder, so it was equivalent to him being a founder as well.
So there was nothing wrong with this answer.
Kakuzu felt a bit of despair.
Sigh.
In this terrible world, why is Tianming everywhere?
He gazed at the bottom of the labyrinth, unable to see the sky, just like his own fate—blurred and unclear.
After the two finished their pleasantries, Narutopointed to the hole in his chest and asked, "Neji did that?"
"Yeah," Uzumaki Menma nodded. "He used the Crane Wing Triple Strike, a new skill he comprehended."
"As expected of the genius of the Hyuga Clan."
Naruto calculated the time; it had been less than an hour from when Uzumaki Menma left to when he returned.
Coming up with a new skill in such a short time was indeed not easy.
"And then?"
Naruto asked again, "You just ran after getting injured? I don't remember my... you being such a wuss?"
He originally wanted to say 'myself,' but considering Kakuzu was right there, it wasn't very appropriate.
Well, it could also be considered being thoughtful of the old man.
Otherwise, if he found out Uzumaki Menma was Naruto's Shadow Clone, he might not be able to take it.
It would be bad if he had a sudden heart attack.
After all, he has five hearts; that would be very difficult for a doctor.
"I'm not a wuss."
Uzumaki Menma spread his hands. "Hinata came to support him. What did you expect me to do?"
Naruto's expression immediately turned troubled, and he sighed, saying, "Hinata is indeed troublesome."
Kakuzu really couldn't help but ask, "The Hinatayou're talking about is the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan, right?"
"Yeah," Naruto replied.
"If I remember correctly, she's only thirteen this year."
Kakuzu had a look of confusion as he asked, "Is she very powerful? To make both of you find her difficult to deal with."
"It's not a matter of her being powerful."
Uzumaki Menma said subconsciously, "She's that special kind, you know?"
Kakuzu really didn't know.
What is wrong with you young people?
To be this scared of a little girl?
"Then leave her to me to deal with?"
Kakuzu asked tentatively.
Since he had joined the Tianming Organization and had no way to leave, he might as well integrate with them first.
At least save his own life first.
The reason Kakuzu could live so long was by knowing how to adapt to the situation.
Naruto was speechless.
Is now the time to show your loyalty?
If you really hurt her, this time next year will be the anniversary of your death.
"You don't need to worry about it."
Naruto waved his hand and said, "Your mission is to force Fujiwara Tokai and Fuyi to cooperate."
Although Kakuzu was a bit curious, he understood that excessive curiosity came with a price.
So he nodded.
"How to handle Neji's side?" Uzumaki Menmaasked casually.
"Don't worry about it; they should leave."
Naruto closed his eyes and activated Kagura Minds Eye.
Although Neji hadn't comprehended Unlimited Blade Works, having the Crane Wing Triple Strike wasn't bad either.
However, what made him frown was that Neji and the others didn't turn back to the surface but continued forward instead.
On the other hand, Shiyohana's team had already disappeared.
Naruto quickly realized the problem.
It was because of him.
Since he was here, Hinata and Neji naturally couldn't leave.
Naruto rubbed his chin.
According to their plan, Fujiwara Tokai and Fuyiwould cooperate, then Gaara and Langya Pavilionwould confirm it, and after some storytelling, it would be enough to plunge the Fujiwara Clan into a vortex of public opinion.
As for Kakuzu, he was just an incidental addition.
Who told him to stumble into this plan?
It just so happened that Uzumaki Menma's subsequent money-making venture couldn't do without Kakuzu.
He might as well make him one of their own.
Cough, cough, that could save a share of the profits.
"I'll leave things here to you. One more or one less of me makes no difference,"
Naruto stood up and said.
"Okay."
Uzumaki Menma nodded.
After Naruto left, Kakuzu asked, "Are we still continuing with our future entertainment business?"
"Of course, such a profitable thing naturally cannot be stopped."
A capitalist's smile appeared on Uzumaki Menma's face. "And with Kazuma joining us, we can summon the dead as employees. They never get tired and don't need wages."
Kakuzu couldn't help but laugh as well.
As long as money could be made, whether it was the Akatsuki Organization or the Tianming Organization, it was all acceptable to him.
And Uzumaki Menma was indeed a genius, compressing costs to the extreme.
"We also need to drag Konan into this."
Light flickered in Uzumaki Menma's eyes.
If Lady Angel could debut as an idol...
Relying solely on her prestige in the Land of Rain, they would surely make a fortune.
"She wouldn't agree, would she?"
Kakuzu's expression blanked for a moment.
He didn't know Uzumaki Menma had such thoughts.
The problem was that no matter how you looked at her, Konan had nothing to do with being an idol.
It was simply too far-fetched.
"She will."
Uzumaki Menma said with full confidence.
Kakuzu's vision blurred for a moment.
Could this guy be thinking of using some improper means again?
But Konan wasn't an ordinary member.
To try anything against her would surely draw the gaze of the Rinnegan.
Naruto returned to the team.
Hinata suppressed the urge to run up and hug him.
She just smiled at him.
By the way, she used her Byakugan to give his body a check-up.
"I'm fine."
Naruto sensed that prying feeling and was a bit unaccustomed to it.
If it weren't Hinata, he would definitely kill anyone who saw through his body like that.
"Naruto, did you find anything?"
Neji was very sensible of the situation and didn't use his Byakugan to scan him.
"We previously met a guy wearing a strange uniform; after fighting with us for a bit, he chose to leave."
Is the uniform strange?
Brother-in-law, there's something wrong with your aesthetic.
"I don't know the guy you're talking about."
Naruto shook his head and said, "Who I ran into was the Fujiwara Clan, great nobles of the Land of Fire."
Except for Neji, the others had no reaction upon hearing about the Fujiwara Clan.
Although Ninjas nominally follow the orders of nobles, they actually live in two different worlds.
If the Land of Fire were divided into classes, the first layer would be the Daimyo and nobles, the second layer would be the Hokage and Ninjas, the third layer would be commoners, and the fourth layer would be slaves and refugees.
"It was actually the Fujiwara Clan?"
Neji was rarely surprised. "How could they have come to the Desert of Illusions? Could it be because of these ruins?"
"Exactly. They think there's a treasure deep within the ruins."
Naruto looked into the distance and smiled. "But in reality, there isn't. Instead, a monster is entrenched there. There's no need for us to join the commotion; let's continue the exam."
Neji was slightly taken aback.
The veins around his eyes bulged as he activated his Byakugan and looked in the direction Narutohad just glanced.
But he found nothing.
"This labyrinth blocks the Byakugan."
Neji felt it was unexpected. "This is the first time I've encountered such a situation."
Naruto thought to himself that it was because of the natural enemy of your Byakugan, the Red Eye, which belongs to Ranmaru, the little follower of Kurotsuchi Raiga.
"Perhaps it's the influence of that monster,"
he explained casually. "I'll go find Gaara and let them handle it. Your task is the exam; becoming a Chunin is what you should be doing right now."
"Alright."
Neji didn't insist further.
Although he was quite interested in Uzumaki Menma, Naruto was right.
Moreover, his own personality dictated his extremely calm behavioral patterns.
As long as it was unrelated to the mission, he didn't want to bother with other things.
After parting ways with them, Naruto didn't leave immediately.
He was waiting for Fuyi's move.
The treasure in the ruins certainly tempted him, but getting rid of Gaara was even more important to him.
This was a win-win situation.
Being able to obtain power and wealth all at once.
About half an hour passed.
The wind picked up.
It was very slight at first, brushing against the skin and feeling quite comfortable, but it soon grew stronger.
Countless grains of sand were swept up, following the wind and blotting out the sun.
A sandstorm.
The cacti, small animals, buildings, and candidates along the way were all filled with sand.
There was no color left except for earthy yellow.
The Hidden Sand Village's outpost.
"Temporarily suspend the exam."
After noticing that all the surveillance footage had become completely blurred, Gaara made a prompt decision.
"You stay here."
Temari looked at him with a serious face and said, "There's something very wrong with the appearance of this sandstorm; it must be the work of those people."
"In that case, I should be the one to go out even more."
Gaara shook his head slightly, his tone brook no argument.
Temari felt a surge of anxiety and said, "Gaara, you are the Kazekage now; you can't act on impulse!"
"That's right, I am the Kazekage."
Gaara put his hands behind his back and said, "I am your Kazekage, and I am also their Kazekage. They are rebelling because I haven't done well enough."
You're too naive, my brother.
Those are all just excuses.
They aren't opposing you being the Kazekage; they want to be the Kazekage themselves.
Temari gritted her teeth; she knew Gaara, and even if she could stop him now, he would surely sneak out.
"You really make people worry."
"Is that so?"
Gaara looked at her and suddenly smiled. "Perhaps because of that, I am the younger brother and you are the older sister."
Temari froze.
He called me sister!
A ball of fire suddenly surged within her heart.
"Don't worry, they won't be able to hurt you!"
Temari was full of energy as she clenched her fist and said, "I'm going to beat them until they know who the real Kazekage is!"
Slaughter mode activated.
Gaara tilted his head.
What happened all of a sudden?
This sister of his was a bit strange.
Gaara withdrew his gaze and stepped directly into the sandstorm.
The wind and sand all stopped around him.
He hooked his finger.
An eye floated in the distance.
His vision expanded.
Gaara began searching for survivors.
And behind him, a monk cradling a pipa was watching him with cold eyes.
Further away.
Naruto and Kurama were chatting.
"That idiot Shukaku doesn't even know he's being tracked!"
Kurama's face was full of a spontaneous sense of superiority.
When it came to perception, he, the Nine-Tailed, was naturally the strongest.
Thanks to 'Wei Nü Si' for the donation.