Make a Move

"That's settled for now. Wangquan, you and Kakuzu in one group. After you find him, you're free to do as you please. There are no missions assigned to you for now, but please feel free to ask if you need anything."

"Understood, I'll take my leave now."

"Wangquan, wait for me. Ling, I'm stepping down too."

"Um."

After that, Shiro and Tobi disappeared into the dark space.

"Aren't you going to arrange for them to do anything?"

"No rush, give me some more time. The power of these eyes has only just been developed. Once the technique is complete, we can make some bigger moves."

"But your body..."

"It's alright, this is all necessary. As long as his dream can be fulfilled, we're willing to pay any price!"

"Nagato." Konan looked at Nagato, whose eyes were wide with anger, with a melancholy gaze, sighed softly, and then said, "What do you think of that Wangquan method?"

"It's just wishful thinking. His method isn't actually that different from ours, but it's much more difficult and will attract the attention of other forces sooner or later."

"Then we..."

"It's alright, keeping him around for now is beneficial for us. We're still short-handed, so we need to plan carefully. Alright, that's all for now, time to continue our cultivation."

"Okay, I understand."

After saying that, the two figures disappeared one after the other, and the place was once again plunged into darkness.

Here, Shiro opened his eyes and saw Jingxia diligently cleaning up the battlefield. After watching for a while, Shiro felt that he couldn't let Jingxia work so hard. As a newly joined core member, he had to show his appreciation.

"I'm coming to help you Jingxia." With that, he hurried towards the ruins of the town.

"No need, you're the core member, how can I let you do this kind of hard work!" However, Jingxia knew he couldn't stop Shiro, so he quickened his pace as he spoke.

He now regretted taking his time cleaning; he had to speed up only after he noticed. Now, most of the prize he was about to win was gone.

Seeing this, Tobi shouted and ran over, joining Shiro in their money-collecting business.

"Damn it! Tobi Afei, aren't you going to keep an eye on the surroundings? What if someone comes?!"

"Hey, it's nothing, it's nothing. There's hardly anyone here. Besides, I'm the captain, you should be the lookout."

"What?! Cleaning up the battlefield was clearly my task, it was all assigned!"

"I'm the captain! You're the captain?!"

"Damn it, you're just making excuses! Wangquan Quan, you be the judge! Huh? Wangquan Quan?" Jing Yixia, who was playing around with Tobi, turned his Jingxia and saw Shiro Lang squatting on the ground, quietly watching a small bird.

The scene, combined with the smiling mask on Shiro's face, was incredibly heartwarming. He felt that Shiro was now exuding a kind of approachability that made people feel calm involuntarily.

However, seeing this scene reminded him of the look in Shiro's eyes when he was killing, a stark contrast to the present.

' Wangquan Quan must have suffered a great blow in Konoha. Otherwise, he wouldn't be using this mask to hide his inner sorrow,' he thought.

Tobi standing to the side, seemed to be drawn in by the poetic scene as well. He stopped his playful expression and began to watch him quietly.

"Jingxia, what's wrong?" Shiro glanced at Tobi, then turned to Jingxia and asked.

"Oh, nothing. Does Your Wangquan like small animals?"

"I guess so. After all, she likes small animals, so she kept quite a few as pets. It's a pity."

"I apologize, Wangquan Majesty."

"It's nothing, it's all in the past."

Hearing Shiro's gentle voice and seeing his mask, Jingxia paused for a moment, then exclaimed, "Wangquan, you are truly kind."

"Hmm? This isn't meant to describe a man, is it?"

"Haha, that's exactly what I meant." Jingxia scratched his head and chuckled, but he felt something was off, like something was missing.

After thinking for a moment, he saw Tobi staring blankly and immediately understood. Although he was curious as to why the usually talkative Tobi was so quiet, he subconsciously ignored it because he was attracted by the gentle atmosphere created by Shiro.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from inside the Jingxia, "Genjutsu?! Jingxia! Don't be stunned! Something's wrong with him!"

Upon hearing this, Jingxia awake. Trusting Tobi, he didn't hesitate and immediately activated the Chakra within his body. Instantly, Jingxia's mind went blank, and he lost all feeling from before.

"Tsk, we've been found out. As expected, it's not so easy to combine two different systems."

"Wangquan, what do you want to do?"

Shiro pushed up his mask and said lightly, "It's nothing, just testing a few Ninjutsu. Why did you wake up? Wouldn't it have been better to just let me catch you?"

"Why? Wangquan Majesty, what you just did?"

"Hey, seriously? You're the villain, and you believe that? But it's true that she and I both liked small animals, and they really did die later."

"Then why...?"

"Why? Because they taste good," Shiro said with a hint of amusement.

"How could this be?" Jingxia looked at Shiro in disbelief, taking a few steps back. Shiro shook his head inwardly at this kind of character. A typical idealist, he would have died sooner or later even without Shiro.

However, Shiro wasn't lying to him; Ayue really did like small animals, especially familiar ones.

Tobi patted Jingxia shoulder, signaling him to step back, while he himself took a few steps forward, squinting at Shiro.

"So, what is your purpose? And are you really that confident? Don't forget, Kakuzu n't far from here."

"Haha, don't try to bluff me with Kakuzu. Besides, so what if he comes? What do you think I'm telling you all this for? Right?"

"Minato Bro~"

"Chirp!" A three-pointed kunai suddenly appeared and stuck into the ground. Then, three figures suddenly appeared, accompanied by Minato's faint voice.

"You're not too late, are you?"

"Minato Namikaze, Mitokado Homura! Damn it! They're from Konoha!" Upon seeing Minato and the others appear, the composure on his face vanished, replaced by panic.

He still had many tasks to complete and couldn't afford to die here. However, despite the panic on his face, he didn't slow down. He quickly channeled his Chakra and activated the technique. Instantly, two pitcher Pitcher Plant rose from beneath his and the Jingxia's feet.

Meanwhile, after Minato appeared, Shiro saw the Pitcher Plant rising rapidly, but Shiro was not surprised at all; it was all within his expectations.

"No, it's just right, Minato." Shiro even replied to Minato first before speaking casually.

"Ayue."