Chapter 134: Kaguya Kimimaro
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Beneath the crimson sky.
Forest of Death.
"Based on the object you gave me earlier, Akatsuki should be exactly 6,000 meters ahead."
A two-meter-tall, black-and-white furred wolf hound, standing on its hind legs like a human, spoke in a deep voice.
It handed a frog-shaped wallet back to Sakumo Hatake.
"Mm, thanks, Jack."
Sakumo Hatake led Team 'Fang', consisting of Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma, Kurenai, Yamato, and Kabuto, with two additional ninja hounds—Jack and Pakkun.
While the Inuzuka Clan of Konoha was famous for their ninja dogs, the Hatake Clan also had a contract with the wolf hound clan.
Jack, the giant wolf hound, possessed incredible olfactory abilities, allowing him to sense enemies over vast distances, and had considerable combat strength.
Pakkun, on the other hand, had detailed close-range perception, allowing him to accurately detect the number and movements of enemies.
"Father... are we really going to Akatsuki first?" Kakashi asked in disbelief.
Of all the opponents, Akatsuki was the worst choice to target first.
He and Guy visited Akatsuki annually—only to be chased out every time.
If Konan didn't personally deal with them, Pain himself would.
Each of Pain's bodies had unique abilities, and combined with Nagato's true power, as well as Jiraiya and Konan's support, they were easily Kage-level or higher.
Even in a direct fight against the First Hokage, they might stand a chance.
"During missions, call me Captain." Sakumo corrected sternly before addressing the entire squad.
"Listen well. This is not a game."
"I absolutely believe that if the number of survivors exceeds the limit, Kagami will randomly execute one of us."
"This is a high-risk mission we chose to undertake."
"If any of you want to back out, I can ask Kagami to remove you from the tournament."
"But in exchange—"
"You will never be allowed to be a ninja again!"
"...!?"
"How could we run away now?!"
"That would be too unyouthful!!"
Might Guy raised his arm high, tears streaming down his face.
"This is the ultimate youth battleground! How could we shrink back?!"
"Exactly! This is our choice!" Asuma crushed his cigarette underfoot, eyes firm.
Seeing his team's determination, Sakumo's stern expression suddenly softened.
"Ha, I was just joking."
"I wouldn't dare ask Kagami to remove anyone."
"But now that I've tested your resolve as shinobi, let me teach you one thing…"
Sakumo's expression grew serious again.
"Being a ninja means facing challenges head-on—but…"
"Sometimes, running away isn't shameful—in fact, it's useful."
He raised two fingers and pointed sideways.
"We are going to avoid Akatsuki and target foreign villages first."
"...Eh—?"
Just a moment ago, Guy was ready to open the Seventh Gate and fight Akatsuki head-on.
Sakumo, noticing his disappointment, smiled.
"Comrades always come first."
"I will protect all of you—don't worry."
---
When the match began, the lower part of the Four Red Yang Formation was completely open, allowing everyone to enter from different directions.
For the first half-hour, battles broke out sporadically.
On the giant screen in Konoha Plaza, thirty-six surveillance feeds monitored every corner of the Forest of Death.
The clarity of these feeds was thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi's contribution—
His Telescope Jutsu.
Though… its previous usage history was a bit questionable.
Near the Forest of Death, at the edge of the barrier, an enormous tree had grown, providing a perfect view over the entire battlefield.
Atop its highest branch, two chairs had been formed from woven bark.
Seated in them—Kagami Uchiha and Hashirama Senju.
Hashirama looked… depressed.
Since Edo Tensei bodies didn't require sleep or have taste, he had spent the night gambling.
And…
He lost everything.
Even the money he borrowed from Tobirama was gone.
Now, he couldn't even steal the savings because Tobirama caught him and beat him up.
Kagami, resting his chin on his palm, spoke casually.
"A team is about to engage soon."
"Hashirama Senju, want to bet?"
"How long will the first fight last?"
Hashirama sighed bitterly.
"I… don't really like betting on people's lives."
"That's not right."
"Funny. So gambling with money is more noble?"
"In a shinobi's hands, has there ever been money untainted by blood?"
Kagami's lips curved, voice cold.
"The First Prohibition of a ninja's code is money."
"If we were to abide by shinobi laws, then this kind of bet would not be forbidden."
"Hashirama Senju, you're always pretending to be righteous, but in truth, you're just a naive fool."
"... …"
"…Can you stop insulting me already?"
"Alright, alright, I admit I'm naive."
"Then… how about this?"
"If I win, you tell me when Madara will return."
Kagami's smile deepened.
"If I win…"
"You do one thing for me."
"As long as it's not harming my friends, I'll do it!"
---
Inside the forest.
The first skirmish occurred between the Bear Country's Hoshigakure Team and the Water Country's Kirigakure Team.
"Those headbands… Water Country?"
The third leader of Hoshigakure, an elderly man in his nineties, led a team of nearly forty people—one of the largest groups in the tournament.
"Heh… a bunch of nobodies hogging all the slots."
Kirigakure's team included Kakuzu, who sneered.
It seemed the leaked intelligence had worked—he and Sasori successfully infiltrated Kirigakure's squad.
A middle-aged man with lavender-colored hair stepped forward, his eyes cold.
"You're only ten people. Our Peacock Secret Jutsu will make quick work of you."
"Akahoshi, step back!"
The Hoshigakure Elder raised a hand, his voice calm.
"Greetings, we are the Third Generation Star Shadow of Hoshigakure."
"If we engage in battle, even if we lose, your forces will suffer losses as well."
"How about we both withdraw and look for weaker prey instead?"
"…The hell is this old bastard smoking?"
Even Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, never called himself a 'Kage'—
Yet this nobody was shamelessly claiming the title?
"Mizukage-sama, allow me."
A young white-haired boy stepped forward.
On his pale forehead, two red dots stood out.
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.
"A brat from the Kaguya Clan?"
"Judging from your chakra flow… you're dying, aren't you?"
A green-eyed beauty with long, wavy reddish-brown hair placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
It was Mei Terumi—
And her tone was cold.
"You forced your way in, and I already disapprove."
"So don't even think about fighting."
"I brought you here to find a cure—not to fight."
Kimimaro shrugged her hand off, his voice indifferent.
"It's fine."
"My only purpose… is to eliminate garbage for Mizukage-sama."
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