Chapter 235: Akatsuki's Group Fight
On this day, Roshi finally recalled the fear of being dominated by the monkey.
As everyone knows, Tailed Beasts generally have a bad temper.
He had served as the Jinchuriki for forty years, and it took immense effort to live in harmony with the Four-Tails.
Especially at the beginning, it was very unpleasant.
Both the man and the monkey tried to subdue each other.
In the end, Roshi gained the upper hand, barely suppressing it to reach a reconciliation.
Even so, the Four-Tails would throw tantrums from time to time.
It was harder than coaxing a wife.
Although he didn't have a wife, he still experienced that feeling.
Six-Ears, after years of diligent cultivation, had finally reached minor mastery in Sage Art.
It fought on equal terms with the semi-tailed beastified Roshi.
The battle between the two behemoths made Jiraiya and the others frown.
Except for Naruto and Haku.
Haku was clever; this Ninja Beast that appeared out of nowhere was likely the work of a member of the Tianming Organization.
It might even be a formal member.
It must be said that he already had a great misunderstanding of the Tianming Organization.
As for Naruto, he was purely watching a monkey show.
He remembered seeing them as a kid in his previous life, but hadn't seen much of them after growing up.
He didn't expect to see such a precious scene today.
He even wanted to get some peanuts and melon seeds.
"Are all you Ninjas like this?"
En Shū pulled at his hair and couldn't help but ask.
"..."
Jiraiya himself looked puzzled.
But to prevent the Daimyo from having unnecessary misunderstandings, he explained, "This is just an unexpected situation."
"We can't waste too much time," En Shū added.
He really didn't want to follow these monks in flight; he just wanted to'study the scriptures' under the covers.
"Don't worry, watch me capture this beast!"
Jiraiya took a step forward, and a golden, glittering Thousand-Armed Kanon Statue appeared behind him.
He could see that Six-Ears was at a disadvantage.
But being able to have such combat power was truly not easy, so he had the mind to subdue it.
Naruto couldn't help but curl his lips at the sight.
You really think you're Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.
He shot a look at Six-Ears.
Six-Ears, if nothing else, had great discernment.
It already couldn't beat Roshi, and with Jiraiyaadded, it definitely wouldn't be able to handle it.
In its long life as a Monkey King, it had understood that its body was the most important thing—the pillar that maintained its harem.
Roshi didn't expect to pounce on thin air; Six-Ears had already vanished.
He was stunned.
This was truly the most baffling fight he had ever been in.
Jiraiya, however, felt very uncomfortable.
It was like having your pants off only for that to happen.
He had missed out on a top-quality monkey.
In Buddhism, monkeys have a special significance.
So he felt it was a pity.
But regardless, they had to keep moving forward.
"Nothing else will happen, right?"
En Shū always felt out of place.
Like a sheep mixed into a pack of wolves.
This was also the first time in his life he had gone on the run.
In the past, he hadn't seen Ninjas take action much, but now he found it truly ridiculous.
But he didn't think too much about it.
No matter how powerful a Ninja was, they still had to protect him.
"No,"
Jiraiya shook his head and said, "How could there be so many inexplicable things in the Ninja World?"
"Abbot, there's a river ahead."
The lead Ninja monk suddenly reported.
"Does a single river warrant such a fuss?"
Jiraiya frowned slightly and said, "How do I usually teach you? You must have..."
"Abbot, this river wasn't here before."
The Ninja monk interrupted his nagging and said, "It's as if it just appeared."
Jiraiya immediately felt something was wrong. He glanced at En Shū and said, "I'll go check the situation."
He quickened his pace and soon reached the riverside.
He saw a huge stone tablet with the words 'Tongtian River' written on it.
Jiraiya looked left and right and couldn't help but gasp.
It was a literal gasp of cold air.
Because the river surface was frozen, and the temperature had plummeted.
But it wasn't winter yet.
It was so eerie that he felt his perception of reality was failing.
The group behind him also gathered around, talking animatedly.
Haku didn't speak; he couldn't figure out the situation either, but his eyes fell on Naruto.
"It wasn't me, but you could also say it was me."
Naruto said something that confused Haku.
Before he could ask further,
The ice on the river surface shattered completely, and a thousand sharks emerged.
Naruto turned his head and saw the man with the tear troughs.
Uchiha Itachi.
As for the sharks, they were naturally from a certain Kisame Hoshigaki who had wandered into the wrong set.
Five members of the Akatsuki Organization had gathered.
What happened to never fighting as a group?
Naruto suddenly felt a bit of trouble.
But Jiraiya didn't have his good mindset; his face turned ashen, and terror constantly surged in his heart.
Three was already a bit much, let alone five.
Fortunately, Roshi reacted quickly and entered Lava Release Chakra Mode, pressing his hands to the ground as magma surrounded them.
Sharks swam one by one in the sea of magma.
They howled from the heat.
Mist continued to rise.
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned; this was his main battlefield.
As a Ninja from the Hidden Mist Village, his favorite weather was heavy fog.
He formed hand seals, and a lake-like wave of water erupted from his mouth.
The mist became even more pervasive.
No one's figure could be seen anymore.
Naruto frowned.
He had Ninjutsu that could break this, but he would definitely be recognized by Kisame Hoshigaki.
After all, it was a secret technique of the Mizukage.
Under the intense pressure, Roshi fully transformed into his Tailed Beast form.
The red gorilla was very conspicuous even in the mist.
But under the continuous water attacks from Kisame Hoshigaki and Kakuzu, he looked exceptionally frustrated.
As soon as the fire flared up, it was extinguished.
Meanwhile, Konan sought out Haku again.
It goes to show that the more beautiful a woman is, the more dangerous and vengeful she is.
Naruto analyzed the battle for a few seconds before seeing a pair of crimson eyes.
In the next moment, the world spun.
Under a dark sky, he was tied to a cross.
Immediately following, countless sensations of pain came from all over his body.
There was a tearing sensation.
"Yo, Itachi, long time no see."
Naruto greeted him without a care in the world.
Uchiha Itachi was stunned; why did this voice sound so familiar?
And could you please give some reaction in my Genjutsu?
It's making me look very awkward.
Naruto didn't know what he was thinking, but he himself felt something wasn't right.
With a jerk of his arm, the wooden stakes embedded in his body flew out.
Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but widen his eyes.
What's the situation?
"Me, I don't like being tied up."
Naruto jumped to the ground, smiled, and said, "Except by Hina... my wife, of course. If she wants to play, I'm more than happy to oblige."
He almost blurted out Hinata's name.
But then again, she probably wouldn't play like that.
What am I even thinking about?
With a thought, Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan spun again.
Naruto felt a powerful Dōjutsu Power again, like omnipresent chains trying to control his body.
He raised a hand to cover one eye.
Invisible ripples spread out.
The Dōjutsu Power was neutralized.
The corner of Uchiha Itachi's mouth twitched slightly.
Damn it, The Fool!
The only thing in this world that can ignore a Mangekyo Sharingan is a Mangekyo Sharingan.
Obito, Sasuke, The Fool.
Combined with that familiar tone from before, it could only be The Fool.
He was suddenly speechless.
After thinking it over, he stopped attacking to avoid wasting Dōjutsu Power.
"Are you here for the Four-Tails?"
Uchiha Itachi asked.
He recalled that when the Akatsuki Organizationcaptured the Ichibi earlier, they had encountered interference from the Tianming Organization.
But he couldn't quite understand.
Why didn't the Tianming Organization show up for the other Tailed Beasts?
Their captures of the Two-Tails, Six-Tails, and so on had all gone quite smoothly.
"No."
Naruto shook his head and said, "The Tailed Beasts are not our goal."
The reason he was traveling with Roshi was to have some fun with achievements.
But unfortunately, his 'Eighty-One Tribulations' couldn't be recreated one by one.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi fell silent.
He and Kisame Hoshigaki had appeared here
because they had just captured the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata, nearby.
They happened to receive Konan's message and came over to help.
He just didn't expect it to be The Fool.
"What you say is hard to believe."
Uchiha Itachi said expressionlessly, "Tailed Beasts are the ultimate weapons sought by the major hidden villages. If your Tianming Organizationdoesn't even want these, what exactly is worth your pursuit?"
"You'll soon know that I'm telling the truth."
Naruto didn't explain it to him, and he guessed Itachi wouldn't be interested in hearing it anyway.
Uchiha Itachi didn't speak, staring at him with a pair of eyes, unknown what he was thinking.
"Oh right, I'll tell you some good news: your daughter and son have been taken back to Konohaby Sasuke."
Naruto slapped his forehead and said.
Uchiha Itachi's mood suddenly became complicated.
Even his killing intent toward Naruto dissipated quite a bit.
He had been forced by circumstances to kill his entire clan back then—well, at least he believed that was the only path to take.
In any case, if he were asked to kill his own children again, he certainly wouldn't do it.
So, going back to Konoha Village was quite good.
"That has nothing to do with me."
Uchiha Itachi maintained his heartless persona and said.
"Is that so? You really are a scumbag."
Naruto said with a face full of emotion.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi really wanted to stab the guy in front of him to death with a Kunai.
Isn't the reason I'm a'scumbag' because of you?
And now you're turning around and blaming me?
Naruto glanced to the left.
Roshi was already about to lose his support.
He was a little puzzled.
Why hadn't his 'True and False Monkey King' achievement been triggered yet?
Was the reenactment not perfect enough?
Naruto scratched his head, looking a bit troubled.
Uchiha Itachi was stunned for a moment.
He couldn't understand The Fool before, and he still couldn't understand him now.
You don't want the Tailed Beast, and you're not fighting; did you come here specifically to chat with me?
But regardless, he didn't have any good way to deal with The Fool.
Back then, he had even used things like the sword of totsuka, but the guy was still alive and kicking.
Meanwhile, Naruto thought for a moment and decided to let the Akatsuki Organization take the Four-Tails.
Anyway, without Shukaku, Roshi was very safe; at most, it would just be a period of room and board.
Besides, he had some ideas about the several Tailed Beasts, especially after knowing Nagato's active achievement; he was happy to see the Akatsuki Organization's Eye of the Moon Plansucceed.
Naruto dispelled the Genjutsu.
Roshi didn't matter, but En Shū had to reach Konoha safely.
"Hey, Sister Nan, give me some face."
He stood in front of Haku and said with a smile.
Konan didn't even listen.
Except for Nagato, she gave face to no one.
Let alone a stranger.
The Chakra on her body surged, and countless pieces of paper in the air, like a rushing river, tore through the mist and loomed over Naruto's head.
At the same time, she also launched an attack toward Haku.
What a greedy woman.
Naruto complained inwardly.
Sage Mode activated.
Flames appeared instantly and became extremely majestic, as if a huge mountain range stood between him and Haku.
The bright light dispersed the mist.
Konan's body trembled slightly as she asked uncertainly, "The Fool?"
The paper burned and fell rustling.
A rain of fire fell between the two people.
"I didn't expect Sister Nan to still remember me."
Naruto clapped his hands happily.
Being remembered by a beautiful woman is something worth celebrating.
But Konan obviously didn't think so.
She looked around cautiously and asked, "Just you alone?"
"One is enough, isn't it?"
Naruto knew what she meant but wasn't afraid.
Konan was silent for a while, feeling it was a bit strange.
The Tianming Organization's goal really wasn't for the Tailed Beast.
But what did it have to do with the Daimyo?
"He has Space-Time Ninjutsu; there's no need for us to fight him."
Uzumaki Menma stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Besides, our goal has already been achieved."
Konan nodded slightly and said nothing more.
The five of them disappeared along with Roshi.
"You're not a Ninja from Iwagakure; who exactly are you?"
Jiraiya immediately questioned as he saw the Akatsuki Organization leave.
Naruto smiled.
The system popped up his achievement.
[Congratulations to the host for achieving the 'True and False Monkey King' achievement, obtaining three attribute points and three destiny stones.]
He finally knew what part was missing.
In the original work, there was a scene where Tathagata saw through the fake monkey, and then the fake monkey was killed.
This corresponded to the Akatsuki Organization's act of taking the Four-Tails.
He glanced at the nervous Jiraiya and the others, then vanished before them in a flash of light.
"..."
Jiraiya rubbed his shiny bald head.
He had encountered nothing but strange things on this journey.
A moment later, he saw several beams of light flying from a distance.
His heart rose once again.
Even though his mental fortitude far exceeded that of ordinary people, he really wanted to complain at this moment: why is it never-ending!
"Asuma?"
Jiraiya saw the lead Konoha Ninja with a face full of beard and for a moment didn't dare to recognize him.
When he last saw Asuma, his beard hadn't been so lush.
"Are you all okay?"
Asuma scanned the area, and especially after seeing En Shū, he visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
"After Konoha received your message, we rushed here overnight. It seems we didn't arrive late."
Late?
Jiraiya didn't know if it counted as arriving late.
But at least they were safe now.
The distressing things from the journey would be set aside for now.
Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi's two teams escorted them back to Konoha.
At the gate, they saw Danzo.
Asuma's expression immediately changed slightly.
Ever since Danzo handed over Root, he had never left the Shimura Clan's compound.
But today he had made an exception and appeared; the reason was naturally self-evident.
"Daimyo."
Danzo still had no expression. "It's been a long journey; why not come to my house for a cup of hot tea?"
"Oh, it's Danzo."
En Shū was instinctively a bit afraid of this gloomy, viper-like fellow.
"Danzo-sama, this is not in accordance with the rules; we should see Hokage-sama first."
Asuma spoke up.
"The Daimyo is the rules."
Danzo said in a flat tone, "Even the Hokage must follow the Daimyo's orders. Asuma, it is not yet your time to speak."
"You..."
Asuma was about to argue when he received a look from Kurenai Yuhi.
He stopped talking.
En Shū, hearing this, felt somewhat refreshed.
Although he didn't particularly like Danzo, he still had to give him face.
"Jiraiya."
Asuma gave him a meaningful look.
Jiraiya nodded and followed the Daimyo.
Meanwhile, Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi immediately rushed toward the Hokage Building.