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***
- Eh-this...?! - Jiraiya froze in shock involuntarily raising his hands up in a strange gesture. Outwardly he looked like he was surprised by the surprise, but he suspected something like this, even though he didn't know for sure. Even as he entered the building, Sanin had sensed not only the residual dead chakra that could be phoned in from the corpses of recently deceased shinobi, but also the source of a rather large reserve that could match his own. Jiraiya was not a bad sensor, and he could tell with certainty that such a chakra pool could not belong to an ordinary Shinobi guard or even an experienced body dealer. No, such a hearth could only belong to a strong man who had been through a lot of things that the current generation had never seen. He was quite wary, but he didn't show it. Because of this, he had prepared himself in advance for something unusual, but even so. Who would seriously expect to meet someone like the man in front of him? The hermit had heard a lot about him, like Ryoshi Uzumaki this guy was a bounty hunter and sold the bodies of the dead, but unlike Red-Haired, this guy was an open slaughterer and had a lot more deaths of very good people who had been sold to their Village and country. Ryoshi had done the same thing in his time, but most of the time he only killed Nukenins, bandits and other scum like them, sometimes according to survivors who had never seen his true colours, he could kill anyone he saw fit and leave the rest, even those who were worth a lot, but he never spared the scum of the world. This man spared literally no one. He massacred, slaughtered entire villages and killed anyone who could be of use to him as a corpse. The mere sight of him was intimidating and made even someone like Jiraiya tense up. This was not a man to be shy with. But what was such a man doing here? Ryoshi had addressed him as Sempai and was being quite polite, and he was also looking at him like an old friend. Does Ryoshi really obey this man?! This meeting...it was definitely pre-planned, but by whom?! And why!!! All these thoughts were swirling around in the Hermit's head, but he didn't show his anxiety in the slightest and tried to find answers to his questions.
- Oh yes, Jiraiya-san, let me introduce you. This is my Sempai and professional colleague, Kakuzu. He has taught me many things. You must have heard of him, right? - He pointed his hand in the direction of the man he was introducing and looked at his companion with the same smile on his face.
- Cut the crap, Ryoshi. - The man in the strange black cloak with red clouds replied sharply.
- Oh, don't be so rude, Sempai. I just wanted to clarify the situation in front of this man. - Ryoshi nodded towards Jirai, who was still showing with his whole appearance that he was dumbfounded by the situation.
- You're Kakuzu?! But what are you doing here?! Ryoshi, what do you mean?! You're working for him?! - The grey-haired man tried to correct the direction of this conversation so that the red-haired man would clarify these points without distorting them.
- Ha, does he work for me? - Kakuzu changed his serious face for the first time since the conversation began and grinned slightly, apparently because of Jirai's words. - Ryoshi, what kind of clown did you bring here?
- Koo-koo, Kakuzu-sempai, you don't need his introduction at all, do you? - Ryoshi, on the other hand, was made to chuckle by Nukenin's words.
- What? What are you talking about? - A puzzled Sanin asked. At the same time, Kakuzu pulled out a small book from nowhere and began flipping through the pages in it. Finally finding the right one, he slowly raised his gaze and directed it directly at the Hermit. Jiraiya didn't like the unconcealed glint in Nukenin's eyes at that moment.
- Jiraiya, one of the three Great Sanin. The reward for a head is 50 million Ryo, the reward for an intact body is 100 million Ryo. You can make me rich, old man. - Kakuzu was about to move towards him, and at the same time Jiraiya became wary, but his outstretched hand with a fancy ring on it was stopped by Ryoshi's hand, tearing it off at the wrist in a single movement. Kakuzu, though he lost his hand, didn't even flinch, but only paused to look at the Red-Haired Man standing a metre away, who was fingering his fingers with blue claws at the tips.
- Not now, Sempai. Still, I'm the one who brought him here, but not for you to start a fight here. - After saying that, Nukenin was a little wary. What surprised him was not the words that Uzumaki did not want any fight with the Hermit here and now, but that there would be a fight at all. In another moment, he would have calmly accepted the words about Ryoshi not wanting Sanin's death specifically.
- Tz. - After glaring at him for a moment, Kakuzu reclaimed his severed limb with some fancy threads and with a cluck of his tongue turned to face his interlocutor.
- Y-you ripped off his arm, and he...! - Jiraiya didn't know the details of Nukenin's abilities, and this was the first time he had ever seen Kakuzu in action. He was especially surprised when the man didn't even blink at the sight of the severed arm and didn't respond to Red-Haired in any way.
- Ooh, it's Kakuzu-sempai's abilities! Isn't he cool? - Uzumaki was glowing with joy, but his amusement was interrupted by Nukenin.
- Ryoshi, cut the crap and get to the point. - Kakuzu didn't like the behaviour of his perpetually infuriating 'kohai' and was at the end of his patience, which didn't pass Uzumaki's attention, so he started after all.
- Okay, Sempai. Has Orochimaru joined yet? - Hearing a familiar name, Jiraiya shifted almost all of his attention to the dialogue of the two people in front of him.
- Yes, like you said, he joined us a while ago and I've started following him. - Ryoshi's face dropped the amused smile and he became more serious, as did everyone else present.
- Have you been spotted? It would be bad if any of your people knew about our relationship.
- Don't underestimate me, little man.
- I just wanted to remind you that if anything happens, I can't help you, remember?
- I didn't expect any help from you.
- That's fine. So you found out his location? - To that, Kakuzu only took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Ryoshi.
- He'll be here in three days. The organisation will be a long distance away, so you can expect no unnecessary problems. - Uzumaki took it in his hands and immediately sealed it on his skin.
- Thank you Kakuzu-sempai. - He smiled and unsealed a small shaped scroll from his other hand. - Here's the usual. - Kakuzu didn't hesitate to take the scroll in his hands and hiding it on the inside of his cloak turned around. - What? You don't wish your kohai good luck?
- If you die, I will continue my existence with more joy. - Without turning round, the man replied and disappeared into the shadows. All this time, Jiraiya just watched and analysed everything that was said, trying to determine what the people in front of him were talking about.
- Koo-koo-koo, okay. Jiraiya-san?
- А? Yes?
- Shall we go? - Ryoshi walked towards the exit and waved his hand to Sanin.
- What? Are we leaving?
- Do you guys want to stay? I didn't think Jiraiya-san would be interested in Shinobi corpses.
- What? No! I'm going. - After leaving the building, the two of them continued walking along the deserted road. - So, what was that?! - Jiraiya asked after a minute of travelling without his companion's explanation.
- You've been waiting a long time. - Ryoshi grinned, turning to look at Sanin. - Your friend, Orochimaru. He recently joined an organisation called Akatsuki and....
- You already told me that, so get to the point! In fact, tell me who that is first.
- Hmm? Don't you know him? I introduced him to you, didn't I? - Ryoshi touched his chin and looked up at the sky, as if remembering if that was the case.
- That's not what I mean! K-how...how do you two know each other! - Jiraiya thus tried to formulate his question.
- Hmm? I told you, he's my Sempa-ai. Jiraiya-san, have you been listening to us carefully?
- Enough of that, you understood me correctly. - Jiraiya's face became suddenly serious and with a fraction of a shadow. Ryoshi already knew what he was really like, so Sanin wasn't afraid to reveal himself to him and just wanted to stop these jeers from his side.
- Then you should stop this circus too. - Ryoshi smiled at him, finally achieving Sanin's true face. Then he turned back to the road again and continued on his way, starting to talk. - I've been following this organisation closely and made some enquiries. Kakuzu-sempai and a few other Nukenin were perfect for being a member of this group and I made a deal with them.
- Arranged what? How many people?
- About fifty. "Of course I'm lying, I knew from the beginning that Kakuzu would join the organisation and I made a deal with him, of course before I did that I made sure that I wouldn't be found out and if I did I would kill him on the spot."
- S-s-s half a hundred?! You have that many spies?! - Jiraiya was shocked. From Ryoshi's previous words, it wasn't hard to guess what he had negotiated with them and on emotion, and not really hiding it, the Sanin gave out what he understood.
- Of course not, what are you talking about? Kakuzu-sempai is the only...
- W-what? Then what about the others?
- When I didn't need them anymore, I killed them all.
- ..! - The Hermit's face took on a stunned look and he wasn't faking it. He had long ago stopped trying to trick Ryoshi in any way and was behaving quite naturally, since he knew that Uzumaki could return the favour. So right now he froze in shock, not fully accepting such stunning words from his interlocutor. - K-how is that...?!
- There's no need to be surprised, Jiraiya-san. You were both a spy and an intelligence agent yourself, so you're well aware of how dangerous those people could be to me.
- Like me?
- That's right, but I won't kill you.
- And why should I believe you?
- You have no particular reason. All you have is my word. - That answer didn't sit well with Jiraiya, but it didn't change the situation. No matter what evidence Ryoshi would show, he would never lose his focus. There was always the possibility that Uzumaki would stab him in the back with the Kunai, especially it increased after everything Jiraiya had learnt about him. He didn't believe everything Ryoshi said, though, because he could have easily lied to him. For example with the same spy in Akatsuki. Jiraiya didn't even know about their members, and Ryoshi could just dress up as a Nukenin and pretend to be one. So none of Ryoshi's words could be completely true and were not completely accepted by Sanin. However, even such information could be very useful and some of it could even be true, which was why Jiraiya continued to follow Uzumaki despite the danger. However, the Hermit partially didn't leave because he also took into consideration the possibility that if he tried to leave, Ryoshi would attack him.
- Okay, I'll believe you. - The grey-haired man replied, letting the Red-Haired Man continue.
- As you surmised, this is how I got my man in their ranks. I pay him well enough to give me some information without forcing him to give up his main income.
- You pay him? Money? I thought you gave him the tech, then, in the scroll.
- Oh, yeah, that's where the money was in the scroll.
- I don't understand. Why hand over a scroll with money? Wouldn't it be easier to just give him the cash?
- Maybe so, but I can't be completely sure that the information given to me is true.
- What are you talking about? What do you mean you can't be sure? He's your man.
- Don't misunderstand, Jiraiya-san. Kakuzu-sempai is just a mercenary and I'm his customer, and when I can be sure that the goods, which in this case is information, are true, then I'll hand over the money for them.
- What do you mean by that? Don't say that.
- The scroll is sealed with a special Fuin that only I can open.
- ..!?
- And when I make sure that Orochimaru's location at these coordinates is valid, then *Silk* I'll print out what I handed over to him. Coo-coo-coo... - Uzumaki's chuckle startled Jiraiya, but he decided to continue.
- So we're going now?
- We're going straight to Orochimaru's Snake Sanin, Jiraiya-san.
***
I think I got rid of that monster. Of course I'll still get my share of outrage from...everyone, yeah, but that's for later. Right now I need to rush to Mariko's aid as quickly as possible and try to finish this damn canon quest somehow. By the way, why haven't I been assigned a quest for this mission yet?! It's all by the book! In all canon, these circumstances should have led to a long-awaited message from the system about the quest.
- System, why haven't I been assigned a quest for this quest?
- ... - the answer was silence.
- Hello! System!!! Where's my quest!?
- ... - the same silence again.
- System?! Why do I have such a crappy System?! All the main characters are fine! They give quests, rewards, target location, quest details, dungeons, keys and titles, and I don't get a chance!? Wait... I'm not a protagonist! Oh...Anti-hero? Why can't I still get these opportunities?! Huh, the system? Where are you?!
- ... - the answer was the same expressive silence. I guess I'm just sick of talking to myself in the desert rocks.
- Oh, come on! I'll figure it out on my own! An anti-hero can also be a Protagonist!!!! - with such, from the outside seeming cries of a lunatic, indignation, I rushed with all available speed in the direction I wanted to go. After a while I felt some change in Mariko's chakra and hurried to get to her quickly, but was puzzled by a new character in this ridiculous story. - Rasa?! - What's he doing here?! Wait, what?!
At first I didn't understand what the hell was going on, but after a while I remembered a similar moment from the anime...except it was with Gaara, not him! Although, there was a political scandal and stuff like that, I didn't fully understand. But he probably came here for the same reasons Gaara did, but why? Oh, well, that's not the point. The important thing is to deal with him and move on. Yeah, since when did Shinobi of Kage level start to fit the "let's deal with him and move on" description in my head? Somehow I've overestimated my capabilities too much, but somehow, I really want to deal with him specifically for some reason! This character was so infuriating in the anime that he didn't even show himself in any way. And when he was resurrected he collapsed first from his son's Technique alone. What's more, when he was alive, he was a ₽#@*$%¢€! During his reign, he dug his own grave by his own efforts due to truly idiotic actions. Because of his attitude towards his son, he created a monster himself, which he later tried to kill just to see if a six year old could subdue a full-fledged Biju! And his reasons for hating Gaara? The death of his wife? C¥ka and how could that be Gaara's fault?! Jinchuriki's outbursts of anger? Well, how the hell is it his fault?! It was all his own damn fault and he was just looking for an excuse not to recognise reality. Damn it, because of that fucking *₽##"*$€€€$, Gaara honestly believed that his mother hated him!!!! And that bastard only thought to tell him the truth when Gaara was already the Commander-in-Chief of the United Army at the age of sixteen and had just beaten his father, his predecessor as Kazekage. But what's more important is how he died! Oh hell, to attack his own allied village he made a deal with a cunning serpent, the ruler of a small village in the Fire Nation, and died a hollow death, allowing Orochimaru to lead the Shinobi of HIS village, who were loyal to him despite his #@₽*$$$%€€!
Thinking about it I almost got to Rasa and in the heat of rage I threatened him with death and even for the first time I wasn't afraid to use the untouchable, in a bad way, Psycho-Maniac-Sadist Smile! And to make it more convincing, he pumped a lot more mana into the Skill, because it was still level one and could be weaker. But the effect was gratifying! Rasa at the same moment completely covered himself in sand and completely went on the defensive, completely forgetting that under the layers of sand so can not see me. Well, I realised at that moment that I was stepping on the same rake again and could not control myself, so without thinking at the same moment I pulled out of the inventory the Ring of that virgin-Monk and put it on my middle finger. Phew, that's more peaceful. Although the main property of this ring is to control a completely different human organ and in this situation might seem inappropriate, but it also has a special effect that I needed, Pure Mind. So with it I was able to get myself under control and prioritise.
The main thing for me right now is not to be distracted by some leftover Persians, but to save Mariko. If I keep delaying like this, she could still fall into the clutches of that bloody...what's his name? Hrok? Hrikok? Viruko? Aah! To hell with him, let's go with Ferret! Now, she could still fall into the clutches of that White Ferret and then it would be no longer funny, and maybe even sad. So, taking advantage of the moment when he closed his own view, we pass by this subhuman, that's how I decided to formulate his image, and head straight towards the ominous grey abandoned castle overhanging the centre of the storm. When did this storm start, anyway? Or is it a thunderstorm? I don't know what the hell all these weather terms are, so let's call it a storm. Yeah, it looks like "let it be" is going to be a staple of my vocabulary. Though it can't compare to "Oh, come on." which I've had since birth, and "tense" which my Master has already instilled in me in this world, and "damn it!" which the face of Rasa keeps fishing out of me, the new phrase won't be able to.
So, when I had already moved a hundred or so metres away from Rasa, I was suddenly grabbed by the sand by the leg...golden sand. Oh, man! He's a fucking major! But that wasn't the point. When I felt that I was grabbed, I instinctively activated everything(!) and tried to get out, but the sand spread all over my body and pressed me straight into the nearest (hard damn you!) stone wall. Even the Ghost Skill didn't help much. It seems that he was using sand that had been soaked in his chakra for a long time, just like Gaara in the canon, so my ghostly body, which was susceptible to energy attacks, would not be able to pass through it! That's when I felt a definite sting! I'm in!!! Of course I thought about fighting Rasa, but man, I didn't expect to actually do it!!!! This isn't just Jonin level, this is Kage m@#₽ fuck!!! Damn it, now that I had already turned on the Byakugan, I could clearly see the small clot of chakra at ten o'clock. How could I think that a Shinobi of his level could deprive himself of his sight so easily!!!! Of course he didn't, he just used his Third Eye to observe everything outside of his perfect dome defence. Huh, I wish I had this technique in my arsenal, but I wonder if it would work if I switched on Sharingan and Byakugan while my eye was closed. But I don't have a chance to think about such things right now. Even though I can get and process information quickly, thanks to my red eyesight and Nara genes, I can't think about it too long, because that damn...damn...DAMN...DAMN KAGE IS HAPPY TO ME!!!!
- Konoha shinobi? Why did you threaten to kill me? - While I was thinking, Rasa without removing the sand from my body, apparently thinking that he had restrained me completely, pressing me against the wall, turned to me. Wait, what? I just shouted that I was going to kill him, didn't I? But I didn't attack him! That's right!!! That can be used in this case.
- Kazekage-sama, don't misunderstand. As you've already seen, I didn't attack you and just wanted a distraction to get through you. Right now, my target is not you, but the woman heading that way. - I nodded in the direction I wanted to go, where the clouds were still gathering, and could only hope he believed me. Damn it, why don't I have Narutotherapy?!
- You're going after the woman with the Enhanced Genome? You? - Rasa's eyebrow twitched. Well yeah, it seems kind of weird that one twelve year old second class Ninja was sent to bring back a woman with a unique genome, an Uzumaki, wife of the Clan Head and just a beautiful milf. Of course judging by my waistcoat I may resemble a Chunin, for the Race can't really see it, but for him I'm clearly yesterday's Genin and still alone, and such a good one I've been sent to bring back the main target of an enemy that is threatening the Four Continental Countries? Well, their Hidden Villages to be exact, but that doesn't make the situation any better. Yeah, it may seem implausible from the outside, but it's not really true. I'm the one who travelled here, and I've got a bunch of strong Shinobi following me. Now, wait a minute, something's not right. As before, I wondered what he was doing here, and how he knew all this. That Weasel didn't say anything about Mariko-san in his announcement to everyone about his plans.
- What are you doing here, Kazekage-sama? - I asked seriously, frowning, causing him to grimace.
- I'm asking questions here. Answer me. - He pressed harder, and I felt my body begin to clench.
- No way, Third Gate: The Gate of Life! Open!!! - I opened all three stages of the Gate at once and my body burst with energy. The sand around me was thrown away, as was Rasa, who was standing three metres away. Well, I wanted to speed up anyway, even though I was going to use the Gate in the battle with Ferret. Now for the full effect, there was something I needed to do.
- "What's that? He threw my sand away so easily, as if that wasn't even his goal." - Rasa closed his body again, but kept his third eye on me. Well, time he gave me for which he was thankful. Ehhhhh, I've wanted to do this for a long time, but there was no reason, and taking them off for nothing is not manly, right, Gai-Sensei?
- Printing. - After folding a few seals, I put my palms to both hands and released the weights chained to me. - Well, I'm not going to waste them for show, and I don't really need pathos now, so.... - After getting a better grip on the rock I was chained to, I tossed my weights in Rasa's direction.
- "What? What is that? Looks like...no, that thing won't penetrate my shield, better focus on this kid." Pah! - As soon as my projectile penetrated Rasa's sand dome, the second one that flew right behind him hit his chest, causing him to let all the air in them out.
- "What did you bitch expect!!! I've been increasing their weight every week!" - While Major flew back to the rock and tried to stop himself with the sand, I also folded the seals and printed the weights already on my feet. Yeah, it's kind of unsportsmanlike to dwell on what Lee had achieved in my years, so I decided to put them on all my limbs. Well, except for the head of course.... - Ahhhh, this feels good!!! I've been looking forward to this for a long time. But, I don't have time to have fun and try out my abilities anyway, so catch two more and...bye. Body Flicker. - I rushed to the source of Mariko's chakra as fast as I could.
- I can't let you stop her. - I heard Rasa's voice.
- What? M@SS #€0|$*₽#!!!! - a whole wave of sand jumped out in front of me!!! What the fuck am I supposed to do?! А? Sand? Is it from under the ground? Well, it's worth a try.
- Phantasm. - I activate the skill and take a huge wave, rushing towards me, but... nothing happens. A couple of seconds later, I'm standing on the same rock and turning around I see an avalanche of golden sand scattered on the ground. - I did it!
- Don't just stand there. *"Too-dum!"
- Boogh!!! - I felt an impact all over my body, like I'd been slapped in the face. Fuck, that's what it felt like! Looking at the spot where the attack came from I see a huge hand made of sand and Rasa standing next to it. - "Damn, that's some speed!
- I'm sorry, but you can't go any further.
- What makes you think that?! - I approach him at top speed and kick him in the stomach.
- Aah! Quick! - before he wakes up, I push off the sand and close in for another kick. Rasa didn't have time to bring the sand up to him, so I was easily able to reach him and get behind his back.
- Well, Kazekage, hold on. *Poof* - with a chakra feed, I printed out some long white bandages from my hands, almost like Lee's, but these ones are made of thin chakro-wire to order.
- When...? - Without listening to Rasa's words I wrapped it around his body and got into a comfortable position for myself, starting to slowly rotate. He wouldn't budge, and I kept going faster and faster. With each metre to the ground, we spun faster and faster and I used a pirate's copy of Hug's Rotation, giving the body even more speed. All the sand that was coming towards us was being blown away by the force of the rotation and there was nothing Rasa could do about it anymore. Finally, after a hundred-plus metres, I reached the ground and stamped Kazekage's head into the ground, punching through it and pushing off his body, but...
- Damn!
- Absolute Wall. - Rasa was able to soften the blow with sand and picking up his body also almost levelled the energy from the spinning and falling. Once he regained his balance, he covered himself with a wall of sand and began to attack.
- Shit, at this rate I'll run out of steam here! - I had the strength and speed to dodge unexpected attacks from all sides, but I didn't have time to attack properly.
- Now I'll admit that you're pretty good for a Genin or even a Chunin, but your only strength is the speed with which you can counter me in close combat, but not in ranged combat.
- Not ranged, you say? Let's see! Fire Element: Fiery Destruction. - I wasn't aiming at Race, but at a huge chunk of sand coming at me in the form of boulders. I still had no way of knowing which of his sand had his chakra and which didn't, so I had to dodge and fend off the particularly large projectiles. The Wave of Fire was able to reach the target perfectly, but it couldn't completely neutralise the enemy's Technique, so I had to bounce back. - Damn, in that case, the Gate is useless. - I cancelled the Gate Technique and focused on ranged techniques. - Fire Element: Phoenix Flowers! - I launched over twenty Shurikens and covered half of them with Technique, thus drawing attention to them. Rasa immediately reacted by crushing most of the fire projectiles, but as I had hoped, he didn't notice the regular Shurikens flying Radom with decoys. Each of them pushed off from each other and let half of them reach the enemy from different directions, but my plan was doomed to failure. All the Shurikens that reached the dome couldn't penetrate it, although they did penetrate a decent layer, but that wasn't the goal of the strategy.
- Sand Shuriken.
- Damn, Sharingan's a handy thing to have. - While I was dodging the Sand, the remaining Shurikens that had advanced the path of the ones that had reached the Rasa Dome did not stay idle and started hitting each other. - *Zink-zink-zink-zink-zink* - I heard the clinking of metal and after a couple of hits.
- Ugh! *♪ Shh... ♪
- What are you gonna do now? - The Third Eye of the Race shattered and he was left blind. - Shadow Cloning Technique. - three Clones appeared beside me and two of them began firing on the race's failed attempts to create a new Eye. - You know, you were the first to make the attack, so this is only self-defence, Kazekage Race. - Along with those words, I began to form a sphere of neutral chakra in my hand. At the same time, Clone poured the Wind Element into it and began to form a Technique. - Take that! Rassensuriken!!! - I threw the Technique into the sand dome and it flew towards the race with incredible speed. Even the rocks he hid his real body behind didn't help him. I could see perfectly well that he'd hidden the original himself and left the Sand Clone on display for me, so I wasn't aiming at the bait, but at the real him.
- That's not good. *BUM!!!* - there was a huge rumble and everything within a twenty metre radius around the target was engulfed in blue chakra, swirling and tearing everything inside. I could see Rasa come out of his sand and try to build a shield, but he failed badly and the blast sent him flying a good hundred metres away. I moved a little closer to get a better look at him and saw that the attack was not without consequences. His whole body was cut and bloody, but surprisingly he was alive. He was barely moving and spitting blood, while suffering a pain in his head from which blood was flowing, which must have been what he had hit him with.
- He's ready. - I whispered and moved back towards Mariko-san when I heard a hoarse voice.
- You can't save her now. Kha! - Rasa said and spat blood continuously. I tried to turn towards him, but suddenly I felt dizzy and felt a sharp stiffening pain from which my legs gave out and I collapsed on the ground.
Warning!
Temporary Debuff: Chakra Wasting.
Chakra reserve is down to 15%.