Negotiation

"Oh! Isn't that a bit much?"

Sensing the astonishing number of Root ninjas Katsuki couldn't help but gasp.

"It's always good to be careful. Who can say for sure whether they were fooled by Sasori of the Red Sands or simply turned a blind eye... These things are hard to explain." Orochimaru waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to elaborate on this matter, and then pointed to the White Zetsu's corpse. "Is there any other information about that thing?"

"Hmm... there are quite a few of these things, and their strength varies. The average ones are around the Chunin level, but the powerful ones are really troublesome. However, there don't seem to be many of those individuals."

Katsuki pretended to be recalling something, gradually revealing the information.

Seeing Naruto and Sasuke grow up little by little, Katsuki had a vague premonition that what was destined to happen was finally coming, like a wheel of fate rolling forward. No matter what twists and turns the cause and effect might cause, it could not stop its progress. As the chosen ones grew up, the stage was about to be set, and a legendary story of saviors was about to unfold.

It's as if everything was predetermined.

This sense of fate displeased Katsuki; he disliked this predetermined destiny.

Now that he has come into this world, there's no going back to the way things were originally.

Orochimaru summoned a small, grayish-brown snake, which coiled around the White Zetsu's corpse and began to examine it.

Even after becoming Hokage, he never stopped training and continued to conduct scientific research. He collaborated with Tsunade to make significant breakthroughs in many technologies and independently completed numerous studies in biology, from which Katsuki also benefited greatly.

You mean there are many more of these?

Orochimaru asked.

"Well! I don't know the exact number, but there should be quite a few. But I don't think the number matters. No matter how many small fry there are, they're still small fry. Even if there are tens of thousands, I can take them all out. The real problem is that guy. The leader is the real trouble."

"... That's true, the legendary monster! It hasn't made any big moves all these years, but now it's suddenly showing itself... Does this mean it's about to launch an operation? Is it just preparation, or is it about to actually take action?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

Itachi looked at Orochimaru and Katsuki with confusion, completely baffled as to what riddle these two were trying to solve.

However, he vaguely sensed that this must be the village's top secret, and since he wasn't being asked to avoid the topic, he would likely be given a reasonable explanation.

"We can talk about that guy later. The problem now is Sasori of the Red Sands, lurking somewhere in the village. He's got his eye on Shuyuan, right?" Orochimaru's gaze shifted to Itachi. "Itachi, take some men to the Uzumaki Clan and protect Shuyuan..."

"No."

Katsuki waved her hand, rudely interrupting Orochimaru.

"Lord Hokage, no need to trouble yourself, Sasori has already made his move!"

Orochimaru: "..."

"What?"

Itachi lost his composure and couldn't help but shout out.

"Lord Katsuki, if that's the case, why not send reinforcements immediately? Sasori of the Red Sands... that guy is a rather troublesome enemy. I'll immediately mobilize Root and the Police Force to search and track him down."

As the Deputy Chief of Root, Itachi's position allowed him access to a great deal of intelligence. He was familiar with most of the top ninjas in the Shinobi World, including Sasori of the Red Sands, who was marked as someone to be wary of among these top experts.

It is said that his Puppet Technique have surpassed those of his Chiyo of the Sand, and he possesses unimaginably powerful trump cards; no one who has seen his trump cards has ever survived.

In contrast, even though Uzumaki Shuyuan inherited Lord Katsuki's excellent bloodline, she is still just a student, and the gap between the two is too great.

"No need, no need. It would be embarrassing to cause such a commotion in the whole village over something so small. My son isn't that fragile. Sasori of the Red Sands is quite powerful... but he can't kill Shuyuan."

Katsuki's smile was full of confidence.

"... Katsuki- kun, are you truly alright?" Orochimaru's deep, hoarse voice rang out.

"It's alright, it's alright. With Scorpion's abilities, he might give Shuyuan a hard time, but he can't kill Shuyuan. I'm certain of that."

This wasn't a forced smile, but a genuine and confident composure. Itachi could tell the difference; even without using his Sharingan, he could discern a person's true emotions from subtle changes in their facial muscles.

However, the more this was the case, the more puzzled he became. Even the strongest twelve-year-old child has their limits.

He himself was known as a genius who was rare to see in decades. At the age of seven, he graduated from the Ninja Academy in just one year. He was then recruited by the Anbu and became a squad leader in just one year. When the Anbu and Root were carrying out a joint mission, he was noticed by Minato Namikaze and transferred from the Anbu to the Root.

When he was thirteen, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Root by Minato. A series of dazzling and impressive resumes all speak to his excellence.

However, he knew that while he could handle ordinary Jonin at the age of twelve, a top-tier expert like Sasori was someone he couldn't deal with at that age.

The gap between different Jonin is like a chasm, just like Katsuki in the room, who is also Jonin.

But Itachi had no doubt that his opponent could defeat him within ten moves.

He had met Uzumaki Shuyuan a few times, and often heard his name from his younger brother Sasuke. He knew that Shuen was very powerful and was recognized as the strongest among his peers, just like Itachi himself back then.

However, he couldn't discern anything special about Shuyuan. What kind of trump card did she possess? Lord Katsuki was so calm... His curiosity was irrepressibly piqued!

Itachi turned his gaze to Orochimaru, thinking that if it were the Lord Hokage, he might be able to get some information out of him.

However, Orochimaru disappointed him this time.

"What ever!"

Orochimaru didn't dwell on it much. Although he was also curious, he figured that since the father wasn't worried, he, as an outsider, couldn't be bothered to interfere.

"However, Katsuki- kun, Sasori of the Red Sands must be eliminated. We absolutely cannot let him cause trouble in the village. Your son's safety is one thing, but as Hokage, ensuring the safety of the other villagers is also my duty. Don't forget that."

Orochimaru gave Katsuki a deep look.

"Uh..." Katsuki scratched her head. That's true! Shuyuan isn't afraid of scorpions, but ordinary villagers don't have the ability to save their lives from scorpions.

If the scorpion goes berserk, the aftershocks of the battle alone can be fatal!

"I won't let Scorpion hurt any of the villagers," Katsuki said in a deep voice. "Nishiki, go and get the village map from my office." (To be continued)