"Reiki, how about we go on a mission first?"
"You can't keep catching these people here just to practice, right?" Hatake Sakumo finally said, unable to hold back any longer.
At first, they thought it was nothing. But as Reiki's smile grew more unsettling, Hatake Sakumo began to worry about his mental state.
So, he suggested it.
At this moment, the captured ninjas looked at Hatake Sakumo as if he were an angel sent to save them. Even though they had previously harbored intentions of killing him, they now felt grateful for his presence.
"Oh. Okay," Reiki said reluctantly. "I'll have someone take care of them, and then we can move on with the mission."
Reiki stood up, though it was clear he was reluctant to part with the high-level practice targets that had provided him with thousands of medical points. The thrill of such a bounty had momentarily gotten the better of him.
Hatake Sakumo glanced at Reiki with curiosity. Typically, ninjas would handle attackers before resuming their mission. Was Reiki planning something else?
"Ah," Reiki called out, "Kakuzu, are you about ready to come out?"
A voice echoed from the dense forest. "Have I already been discovered? I thought my concealment was flawless."
A figure emerged, exuding a powerful presence. Nozuki's eyes widened in shock; she hadn't sensed this figure at all. How had Reiki noticed him?
"It seems you've found a good heart; that stealth technique of yours is impressive," Reiki said with a grin.
"Indeed, it's a good heart. His Shadow Divine Hiding Technique is exceptional for stealth," Kakuzu replied, equally stunned. This level of concealment should have kept him hidden. How had Reiki managed to detect him?
Unbeknownst to Kakuzu, reasoning with someone as unpredictable as Reiki was futile.
"I'll leave these guys to you. If you want money, you'd better ask him for it. We need to go on a mission, so we won't stay to chat," Reiki said, looking at Hatake Sakumo.
"Ah, let's go," Hatake Sakumo agreed, and the four of them departed swiftly.
"Uh... are they leaving already?" Kakuzu muttered. "But it's not so bad to get paid without lifting a finger." He took the captured ninjas and left.
After traveling all night, the four of them reached a village in the Land of Grass by morning. They settled at a noodle shop for breakfast.
"Uncle Sakumo, do you know who those attackers were?" Reiki asked, putting down his chopsticks after finishing his meal.
"Their identity?" Hatake Sakumo responded. "They're not from Sunagakure. Their fighting style is covert, but there are hints. They're from Root."
Hatake Sakumo spoke calmly. As Konoha's White Fang, he'd experienced countless battles, and such tactics were transparent to him. During their earlier skirmish, the attackers failed to conceal themselves under the pressure of his formidable offense.
"Root?" Reiki questioned. "Are you saying Danzo orchestrated the raid and collaborated with Sunagakure to attack us?"
Nozuki's face grew somber. To her, such an act was tantamount to treason. Why stay silent after identifying the culprits? Reporting them to the Hokage could make Danzo face justice.
"Don't look so grim," Reiki said with a smile. "We aren't strong enough to meddle in high-level politics yet. When we reach Uncle Sakumo's level, we can speak out."
Hatake Sakumo's eyes clouded with sadness at Reiki's words. Once, he had been just as passionate, engaging with village matters and facing issues head-on. But that enthusiasm had made him a target. Despite all he had done for Konoha, the higher-ups now marginalized him. The bitterness gnawed at him.
"You're all talking like this is a war council over breakfast," Nozuki said, annoyed. "Why not wait until the mission ends to discuss it?"
Reiki laughed. "Alright, let Nozuki finish her meal. Not every question needs an immediate answer. Just follow your own path as a ninja."
"Boss, another bowl of your signature noodles, please!" Reiki called out.
After eating, the group set off once more.
Back at the battleground, several figures appeared.
"The fight's over. Looks like they were defeated," said the leading ninja, lifting his hood to reveal a familiar face: Ebizo, Chiyo's brother.
"Impossible," a masked ninja said, astonished. "The team we sent should have been enough to capture Hatake Sakumo." They knew they needed to report back immediately.
In a distant cave, Orochimaru surveyed the scene before him. Seventeen bodies, all familiar, lay lifeless. He frowned.
"Danzo, what are you up to? Attacking Reiki or Hatake Sakumo?" Orochimaru whispered. Regardless of the target, Danzo's actions were excessive.
"Orochimaru?!" a voice called out. A long snake shot from his sleeve, biting the speaker before they could react. No matter who the operative was, they would serve as material for his experiments.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. He needed to quicken his pace. If he didn't act soon, Reiki's actions could set off a storm that would change everything.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 500 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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