Amado's Intentions

"Damn it, damn Iruka..."

Inside a small tavern, Mizuki sat in the far corner, drinking alone in silence.

As he drank, he muttered complaints about Iruka he had known since childhood.

Why is he able to become a full-fledged teacher at the Ninja Academy, while I'm just an unaffiliated assistant? Is it just because his parents are Jonin?

Mizuki hated Iruka to the core.

He always subconsciously believed that he was better Iruka, both in appearance and strength.

So what if you have Jonin parents?

In the end, won't you, Iruka, just be an ordinary Chunin like me?

Furthermore, the Military Police Force, citing unclear facts of the case, forcibly determined that he was suspected of murdering his teammate, which resulted in him being rejected during the Ninja Academy teacher recruitment process.

He clearly didn't leave behind any evidence.

Mizuki gulped down another large glass of wine and slammed it heavily onto the table.

The sound of the collision attracted the attention of many onlookers, but most people wisely looked away after seeing Mizuki's ninja attire.

Even the bartender pretended not to see the other person and continued with his duties.

"Isn't that Teacher Mizuki?"

A slightly obsequious voice sounded beside me.

Mizuki turned her head and saw a somewhat familiar middle-aged man approaching her with a fawning smile on his face.

It's probably another student's parent who doesn't know their true identity.

Mizuki mentally concluded about the other person's identity.

Well, at least someone's paying for the drinks.

Regardless of whether you can actually do what the other person says, just agree to it and take the benefits first.

At worst, I can just defect to Konoha.

A sly glint flashed in Mizuki's eyes.

Little did they know that the other person's eyes were also flashing with the same meaning.

"We've already made contact with the research department of the Hoshigakure, and things are progressing smoothly in the Land of Snow as well."

Inside the new Inner Circle base of the Dawn Organization, Miya Dawn looked at the research projects from various villages in her hands, her excitement no longer concealed.

In stark contrast was Amado, whose eyes remained deep, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and whose expression was as calm as ever.

The reason why the Dawn Organization is able to take the lead in scientific research is that, apart from some of the insights put forward by Jigen, an Ōtsutsuki, most of the rest is because they sent people to contact or control top talents in other countries.

It is no exaggeration to say that the research departments of every country in the Shinobi World are targets of the Dawn Organization's infiltration.

The only exception right now is Konoha's Research Bureau.

For Konoha, which possesses the Byakugan, using Illusion Technique to control their researchers is clearly not a wise choice.

However, under the surveillance of the Internal Affairs Department, it is not a good idea to rashly contact the researchers.

Fortunately, thanks to the Dawn Organization's relentless infiltration efforts, some good news has finally arrived recently.

A Konoha Ninja is willing to become Outer Circle member to gather intelligence on the organization's Research Bureau.

"I wonder how far Konoha has progressed in its research on Artificial Human cells."

Amado exhaled a puff of smoke and muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear.

Miya Dawn was reviewing the latest research findings in the distance, twitched her ears but continued with her work.

"According to that member of the Outer Circle, Konoha is about to hold the Chunin Ninja Exams, and the screening process will be more lenient then. Why not take advantage of that opportunity..."

"No."

Amado stubbed out his cigarette, rejecting Miya Dawn's plan.

"Jigen said that we should not get involved with Konoha in the short term. Their development speed has exceeded our expectations, and their strength is the strongest among the five great hidden villages. Quietly lying low is our best option."

After listening to Amado's words, Miya Dawn understood, but he still muttered under his breath, "But if this continues, won't that person successfully regain..."

"Keep quiet."

Miya Dawn was interrupted by Amado before she could finish speaking.

Although there are no eavesdropping devices here, Jigen's abilities are still unknown, and if he hears them, the consequences will be very serious.

The two looked at each other in silence, neither knowing what to say.

Just then, the sound of the door opening startled the two, who quickly turned to look in that direction.

"Hmph, we've got a mission."

Upon hearing the voice of the person who had entered, the two visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

It's a scorpion.

He has just returned from the Land of Snow, bringing with him a new mission.

"Hiruko of Konoha will be helping Kirigakure build a research facility after the Chunin Ninja Exams. Her intention is to take this opportunity to learn about Konoha's research progress."

Scorpion pointed to the only sealed culture dish. "This operation will be carried out jointly by Ai and the Artificial Human."

Should we send Pride?

Amado's eyes narrowed, wanting to refuse the mission: "But it's not perfectly debugged yet."

"It's alright. After the mission, that person will give you even purer Ōtsutsuki cells, allowing you to develop Artificial Human with true Ōtsutsuki blood."

Scorpion seemed to have anticipated Amado's refusal and relayed everything that Jigen had told him.

"Purer?"

Amado's expression remained unchanged, indicating that he had anticipated this.

As expected, the legendary God of Ōtsutsuki truly exists.

But why would they target this planet?

Is it a coincidence? After all, the Ōtsutsuki have always made a living by plundering planets.

However, this cannot explain why the God of Ōtsutsuki would have taken a liking to this place, or even that his physical body might be hidden on this planet.

If it's not a coincidence, then this planet must hold secrets he hasn't yet uncovered.

Konoha, don't fall behind!

Amado sighed inwardly, but verbally agreed to Scorpion's request.

"I understand. I will complete the debugging as soon as possible."

"Yes, you only have one month."

After saying those words, Scorpion turned and left.

"Last."

Watching Scorpion leave, Amado put an unlit cigarette in his mouth and called out a name.

"What is it?"

A spacetime rift opened, and Raste emerged from it, longbow in hand.

"Continue searching for the Ōtsutsuki Ruins without alerting Jigen. If you encounter any ninjas from other villages, eliminate them all."

Amado a deep breath, savoring the taste of tobacco.

In this way, other villages will also feel the pressure from the Dawn Organization and react accordingly.

This should be able to slow down Jigen's progress a bit.

After all, he hasn't found a suitable vessel yet.

This also bought him time to analyze the Ōtsutsuki.

"Yes."

As a product of Amado's creation, the other party was like a father to Raste, so she naturally wouldn't disobey his orders, even if those orders contradicted Jigen's.

Did he sense something?

Miya Dawn looked at the petri dish containing Pride with some concern.

You should know, this was originally intended to be used against that person—

Amado didn't rush to answer this time. Instead, he thought for a moment before giving his answer, "Probably not."

Reflecting on his performance and handling of various matters over the past period, Amado was certain that the other party would not notice his subtle actions.

Rather than saying that they had revealed a weakness, it would be more accurate to say that Jigen was anxious.

Is the container about to crash?

This conclusion is not surprising, because Jigen now spends far more time squatting in the petri dish than he makes public appearances.

Jigen's physical body has been forcibly maintained for a thousand years. According to Amado's prediction, once Jigen is completely resurrected in this body, he will not be able to move for more than two hours.

If Isshiki does not obtain a new container within these two hours, there is only one fate awaiting him: utter annihilation.

Even the Ōtsutsuki can be killed.

The limitations secretly imposed on the Artificial Human by Amado, in every sense, locked away the possibility of Isshiki having a "wedge" engraved on him.

I wonder if that guy Scorpion has found a suitable vessel for him.

Jiraiya stealthily returned to the center of the village.

"Oh, it's Jiraiya. Long time no see."

After submitting her request for a day off and having it approved, Tsunade walked openly through the streets of Konoha. Upon seeing Jiraiya, she excitedly greeted him.

"Well, Tsunade, well, I have something to do, so I'll be going now."

Although he and Tsunade had no relationship beyond friendship, he still felt a pang of guilt upon seeing Tsunade. After giving her a brief reply, he hurriedly tried to slip away.

"Something's not right, something's wrong."

Tsunade could tell from Jiraiya's greeting that he was Jiraiya hiding something from her.

After all, every time that old lecher sees him, he always looks at places he shouldn't with those lecherous eyes, and he always makes a few sarcastic remarks.

She had gotten used to his style over the years, but the old man suddenly became serious, which made Tsunade feel a little insecure.

Am I really getting old?

With this thought in mind, Tsunade stopped drinking, strode forward, grabbed Jiraiya by the collar, and stopped him from escaping.

"Hey, Jiraiya, are you hiding something from me?!"

Jiraiya 'Tsunade head between her arms and shouted at him.

With his head pressed tightly against Tsunade's, Jiraiya had no time to savor the wonderful sensation. He struggled desperately to break free from Tsunade's embrace, but her strength was too great. Soon, Jiraiya felt his breathing become rapid and he could hardly breathe.

Seeing that Jiraiya when his brain was oxygen-deprived, Tsunade simply dragged him toward the tavern.

Since he's unwilling to talk when he's sober, let's use alcohol to open his mind and find out what he's thinking!

Poor Jiraiya was dragged by Tsunade towards the tavern, and along the way they encountered Obito, who was taking a walk with Rin.

"Hey, Obito, help—"

Jiraiya used his last bit of strength to plead with Obito for help.

Unfortunately, Obito, whose mind was entirely focused on Rin, didn't hear it at all, or if he did, he took it as a hallucination.

"Lin, look, this is the electrical wiring diagram for our house that I asked Shisui to design. This, this, this is also for our new home..."

Obito's voice grew softer and softer, and his face turned red, just like Jiraiya's.

The only difference is that one is withdrawn and the other is shy; their psychological states are completely different.

Jiraiya could only watch helplessly as his foolish apprentice became engrossed in the pink atmosphere, while Tsunade dragged him further and further away...