One-Tail Reappears

Meanwhile, at Sunagakure's encampment.

"Senior Bunpuku, please."

Rasa had rarely brought out tea worth two hundred thousand ryo per jin to entertain Bunpuku.

It was the same kind Orochimaru had drunk before, found in the noble household of a border city they had conquered.

The old monk Bunpuku pressed his palms together and returned Rasa's greeting. Rather than drinking in a hurry, he asked Rasa, "May I ask what the Kazekage requires this old man to do? If it involves facing Orochimaru, Shukaku may..."

Bunpuku spoke with some hesitation.

Ever since being brutally beaten by Orochimaru last time, the One-Tail had been left psychologically scarred.

"There is no need for Senior Bunpuku to face Orochimaru. Elder Chiyo and I will restrain him. When the time comes, we ask Senior Bunpuku to borrow the Tailed Beast's power to break through Konoha's defensive fortifications."

Chiyo nodded and said, "Though Orochimaru is terrifying, the Konoha Ninja under his command are inferior in number. They can only hide inside Kikyo Castle. On top of that, they have the two powerful fighters known as Purple Lightning and Yellow Flash assisting them. We have attacked for many days without achieving any significant results."

Purple Lightning and Yellow Flash were the titles Mito Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze had earned during this war.

Orochimaru's title had not changed. He was still known as the Cold Lord.

Pakura spoke up from the side. "During this time, we have already stripped all the resources we could from the territories we conquered. If we cannot take Kikyo Castle soon, we will only be wasting those precious resources."

"In that case, this old monk can still offer his meager strength."

Bunpuku pressed his palms together again in thanks.

As long as he did not have to face that freak Orochimaru, Shukaku was still quite formidable.

After all, before Orochimaru, no one kept beating up Tailed Beasts like that. Because of the destruction Tailed Beasts could cause, those who defeated them would swiftly seal them away to prevent further damage.

Like Orochimaru, who would not seal you even when he had the chance, but would just pin you down and relentlessly pummel you without even giving you a chance to surrender—he truly was one of a kind.

The following night, Hatake Sakumo and the others arrived at Kikyo Castle. Accompanying him were the Third Hokage's eldest son, Sarutobi Shin'nosuke and his wife, as well as an Elite Jonin from Root whom Danzo had planted among them.

That jonin had no name, only a codename: Leopard.

When Orochimaru saw them, he already had a vague premonition.

This was the mission that would cause the White Fang to fail and commit suicide.

Among the others, Orochimaru had heard of and met the Third Hokage's eldest son.

He appeared calm and dependable on the surface, but he was actually rather rash.

Danzo's man likely had his own agenda as well.

The timing was about right too. Kakashi had been at the Ninja Academy for nearly a year...

"Orochimaru, we have decided to launch the assassination plan tonight. We are preparing to depart."

Hatake Sakumo looked at Orochimaru as he spoke. Over the past year, he had already felt the suppression coming from Konoha's upper ranks.

This mission was important, yet all of his teammates had powerful connections. They had clearly come to steal his credit.

He had never imagined that someone among the upper ranks intended to harm him.

"Is there anything you need us to do?"

Orochimaru hoped Sakumo would succeed. If he did, Konoha would surely win this war. Besides, if Orochimaru became Hokage, Sakumo would make an excellent subordinate. He was qualified to become Orochimaru's shadow.

"No. As long as you receive us at the agreed time."

Hatake Sakumo always wore an expression of absolute confidence. It was hard to imagine that someone like him would commit suicide over rumors and gossip.

Orochimaru looked at Sakumo, then swept his gaze over the other three. The White Fang was leading this mission, so the others tactfully did not interrupt their conversation.

"The three of you should go with Uzumaki and gather more supplies. Sakumo and I have some matters to discuss."

Leopard, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Lord Orochimaru, everyone here is absolutely trustworthy. There is no need to hide anything you wish to say."

Having received Danzo's orders, he did not want any unforeseen changes to occur in this mission.

Besides the mission issued by the Hokage, he also had a mission issued by Root.

Orochimaru gave him a cold look.

"Are you telling me how to do my job? Uzumaki! Why have you not shown our guests out?"

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."

When Hatake Sakumo emerged from the tent after finishing his conversation with Orochimaru, his eyes were filled with worry.

This mission was already a massive trap. Yet no matter how difficult a mission was, he had confidence that his White Fang could cut through every obstacle. But if someone among the upper ranks intended to drag him down...

It was not that he had not doubted Orochimaru's words, but Orochimaru had no reason to lie to him. It would bring him no benefit.

In fact, if Danzo truly intended to target the other Fourth Hokage candidates, then he and Orochimaru should have been allies instead.

Hatake Sakumo set out with the other three, carrying the worries in his heart. No ninja abandoned a mission—except rogue ninja.

His son was still attending the Ninja Academy. He could not possibly betray Konohagakure. Besides, protecting every companion of Konohagakure was his ninja way, his sword way. If that were to shatter, then he would no longer be Hatake Sakumo.

He had to make every second count. The undercover agent would make arrangements at the appointed time to facilitate their infiltration.

Orochimaru had not truly intended merely to provide support.

He knew this mission was bound to go wrong, so he had brought Minato Namikaze and Mito Uzumaki along in advance.

Should anything unexpected happen, everyone could use the Flying Thunder God to relocate and ensure their safety.

Not long after.

"Roar!" A heaven-shaking bellow rang out as a massive One-Tail appeared in Sunagakure's camp.

"Not good! Why has the One-Tail suddenly gone berserk?!"

Countless ninja were jolted awake. A Tailed Beast rampage was no small matter.

"Where are Elder Chiyo and Lady Pakura? Go get them to suppress the Tailed Beast!"

"Elder Chiyo has gone to inspect the supplies! Lady Pakura is also patrolling outside the camp!"

"Damn it, the enemy must have used this chance to infiltrate and attack!"

"Go get the Kazekage! Only he can act now."

At that moment, the Fourth Kazekage was clutching his chest as he received treatment.

White Fang had slashed him across the chest with a single stroke.

Yet it was not without gains. He turned his head toward Leopard, who had been captured alive.

As a ninja trained by Root, Leopard had not revealed any intelligence. Yet he could not break free, nor could he even activate the seal within his body to commit suicide.

He had been sealed by Rasa's Desert Layer Great Burial. This technique had been developed by the Third Kazekage through his research into the curse markings on Shukaku, then passed down to him.

"Take him away," Rasa said flatly.

"Yes, Lord Kazekage."

Rasa rose to his feet and waved for the medical ninja treating him to stop.

Ever since Tsunade established a medical system in Konohagakure, most of the other ninja villages had followed suit.

Though Chiyo of Sunagakure was not as skilled as Tsunade, she was still among the finest medical ninja in the Shinobi World.

The medical system she had created for Sunagakure was not as comprehensive as Konohagakure's, but it was still commendable and had trained many medical talents.

After the medical ninja withdrew, Rasa summoned Gold Dust to lift him up and flew toward the rampaging One-Tail.