Within the crimson sky.
The Death Forest.
"Based on the items you gave me before, the Akatsuki should be located 6,000 meters directly ahead."
A black and white wolfhound wearing a ninja vest made a sound, standing upright like a human, and was about two meters tall.
He handed the frog wallet from its claws back to Hatake Sakumo.
"Yes, thank you, Jack."
Hatake Sakumo, the team consists of Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, Yamato, Yakushi Kabuto, forming a seven-member squad called "Dog Fang".
Oh, and we also have to count Ninja Dog Jack and Ninja Dog Pakkun.
The Konoha Inuzuka Clan is famous for keeping dogs, and the Hatake Clan family also has a contract with the Ninja Dog clan.
Jack the wolfhound possesses an exceptionally long-range sense of smell and is also a formidable fighter.
Compared to him, Pakkun's combat strength is negligible, but his perception at short to medium range is more detailed.
It can even pinpoint the number and movement speed of enemies.
"Father... we've just come in and we're already going to find the Akatsuki?" Kakashi was somewhat taken aback.
He and Kai were the ones who knew the Akatsuki best, and they visited them about once a year.
Each time, they would be chased out by Konan Sister Konan and a few others, or Deva Path Pain himself would have to come.
It's no secret that the Rinnegan can control corpses; each Rinnegan clone possesses unique abilities.
Including Rinnegan Nagato, as well as Jiraiya and Konan...
Kakashi even thought that this lineup could rival the First Hokage.
"When you're on a mission, call me Captain!" Hatake Sakumo coldly reprimanded.
He turned and spoke to the crowd in a deep voice.
"Let me make it clear, this is not a game for us."
"I am absolutely certain that when the number of people exceeds the designated number, the Mirror will randomly eliminate any one of us."
"This is our own choice, with a very high probability of death. If you want to withdraw... I can ask Jing to let you withdraw from the competition now."
"As a price, you'll never be ninjas again!"
"As a ninja, how could I possibly desert my post in the face of battle?!"
"That's so un-youthful, Captain!!"
Kai raised his arms high, sobbing uncontrollably, "This is the perfect stage for youth! How could we possibly back down?!"
"Yes! This is our own choice!" Asuma stubbed out his cigarette, his eyes resolute.
As he watched each person express their opinion, Hatake Sakumo's serious face suddenly fell.
"Haha, I was just kidding. I wouldn't dare go to Jing and tell her I'm withdrawing from the competition."
"I have confirmed your resolve to become ninjas, so let me teach you something..."
Hatake Sakumo's expression turned serious again.
"This is a lesson I've learned over the years of traveling."
"As ninjas, there are times when we must face difficulties and confront them, but..."
"Sometimes, escaping is not shameful, but rather very useful."
Hatake Sakumo pointed to the side with two fingers. "We'll avoid the Akatsuki and prioritize targeting people from other villages."
"Well--"
Judging from what was said earlier, Kai was planning to open the Seventh Gate and confront the Akatsuki.
Hatake Sakumo smiled, his slightly wrinkled eyes crinkling.
"Companions are the most important."
"I will protect you, don't worry."
You are the future of the village, and it is up to you to carry on the spirit of our ancestors...
For Hatake Sakumo, participating in this martial arts exercise was completely meaningless.
He was originally a high-ranking and powerful Leaf Shadow Minato, who was in charge of the affairs of the Land of Fire, was more like a friend of Kagami Uchiha, and he was Kagami's retainer.
If he wants anything, Kagami Uchiha will not hesitate to give it to him as long as he asks.
However, he has realized that he is getting old and his growth in strength has stagnated.
Compared to the exceptionally talented Minato, even Konoha White Fang pales in comparison.
We need to cultivate outstanding successors to take over our positions.
Talk is cheap; Hatake Sakumo intends to lead by example.
They were even prepared to die during this martial arts exercise.
To be honest, his favorite candidate is Might Guy.
Might Guy's personality and strength are well-suited to be the guardian of the Land of Fire, Leaf Shadow.
But there is a very serious problem...
Kai is a bit forgetful; he might forget people's names and faces if he doesn't see them often.
It's passable for an executor, but it's a fatal flaw for a leader.
——
When the competition began, the lower level of the Four Red Yang Formation opened in all directions, and everyone entered from different directions.
For the first half hour, fighting still occurred.
On the enormous screen in Konoha Square, thirty-six smaller arrays were used to monitor the events unfolding in the Death Forest from all angles.
The Shinobi World has no shortage of surveillance equipment, but the ability to achieve this level of clarity is thanks to the technical support provided by the Third Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Telescope Technique is truly a complex and difficult Cursed Technique to explain.
Near the Death Forest, on the outer edge of the Four Red Yang Formation, grows a towering tree that overlooks the entire forest.
Two chairs were woven from the branches at the top of the tree, where Hashirama Senju and Kagami Uchiha sat.
Hashirama's expression still showed some disappointment.
The Impure World Reincarnation Body didn't need to sleep, nor did it have a sense of taste. Since it was idle anyway, it gambled until dawn.
Um...
He gambled away all the money that Tobirama carried with him.
He originally intended to steal the bankbook, but Tobirama discovered him and beat him up.
Kagami Uchiha on his hand and said calmly, "A group is approaching soon."
"Hashirama Senju, shall we take a gamble? How long will the first battle last?"
Hashirama Senju shook his head with a wry smile, "I don't want to gamble with other people's lives, that's not right."
"That's ridiculous. Does gambling with money make you more noble?"
"Is there any money in a ninja's hands that isn't stained with blood?"
Kagami Uchiha's lips curled into a smile, his voice cool and clear.
"The first of the three prohibitions of ninjas is money, right? For ninjas, only by proposing a bet like this can it not be considered a violation of the prohibition."
"Hashirama Senju, that's just how you are. You think you're noble, but you're actually foolish and ignorant."
"Stop yelling..."
"I know I'm ignorant... so... how about we take a gamble?"
"If I win, tell me when Madara is coming back, okay?"
"Can."
A faint smile appeared on Kagami Uchiha's lips, "If I win, you'll do one thing for me."
"Anything is fine as long as it doesn't involve me hurting my friends!"
In the forest.
The first teams they encountered were the Hoshigakure team from the Land of Bears and the Kirigakure team from the Land of Water.
"That headband... belongs to the Land of Water!"
The Third Hoshigakure leader was an old man in his nineties, followed by thirty or forty people, making them one of the teams with the largest number of participants.
"Heh... a bunch of nobodies taking up so many spots?"
Kakuzu sneered from the Kirigakure group.
Clearly, the footage had an effect; he and Sasori successfully infiltrated the Land of Water's forces.
A middle-aged man with light purple hair stepped out from beside the leader of the Star Ninja, his cold gaze sweeping over the people of the Land of Water.
"There are only a dozen or so people. You should be able to witness our Mysterious Peacock Method!"
"Akahoshi, step back!"
The old leader gave a reprimand and greeted the people of the Land of Water, saying, "I am the Third Hoshikage of Hoshigakure."
"Gentlemen, if a battle breaks out, even if we are no match for you, you will still suffer losses."
"How about we each withdraw and find other teams?"
"Where does this old man get his confidence from?"
Even Karatachi Yagura didn't dare to Mizukage, so how dare this old man call himself the Kage?
"Lord Mizukage, let me do it."
Behind Karatachi Yagura was a beautiful woman with emerald green eyes and long, wavy, reddish-brown hair, but the voice did not come from her.
A white-haired boy with an expressionless face walked out from behind her, with two noticeable red dots between his eyebrows.
Kakuzu didn't look down on him because of his young age, his eyes narrowing slightly. "A brat from the Kaguya Clan... With this level of chakra, you're going to die soon."
Mei Terumi placed her hand on his shoulder, frowning as she said, "I'm already annoyed that you insist on getting involved, you're not allowed to fight!"
"I brought you here to find a way to heal you, not to make you fight."
Kimimaro shrugged lightly, shaking off Mei Terumi's hand, and said calmly.
"It's okay."
"My purpose in being is to clean up this kind of trash for the Mizukage."