Hayate's Death! (2/4)

On the outskirts of Konoha, at Team 7's meeting spot, an effeminate-looking man leaned against a tree stump, greedily basking in the warm sunlight.

A rustle came from the forest, and a ninja dressed in a black robe and wearing a fox mask emerged from within.

"Orochimaru-sama, the arrangements for the first phase have been completed." After removing his mask, Kabuto Yakushi dropped to one knee and bowed.

"Has the Sand Ninja side been informed as well?" Orochimaru's voice was extremely hoarse.

"Yes. The One-Tail jinchuriki and several Sand Ninja jonin will act according to the instructions."

"Very good." Orochimaru was quite pleased with this trusted subordinate. After all, Kabuto possessed both strength and intelligence.

"By the way, how are Sasuke Uchiha and Qingchuan Tianming?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.

"Sasuke Uchiha is still lying in Konoha Hospital because of the power of the Cursed Seal, while Qingchuan Tianming appears to have resisted its power on his own." Kabuto Yakushi calmly reported the intelligence he had gathered.

"Interesting! Qingchuan Tianming! No wonder he is the vessel I value most!!"

Orochimaru had placed no fewer than eight hundred, if not a thousand, Cursed Seals, yet none of those who survived and could use their power had satisfied him.

But Qingchuan Tianming was different. With his exceptional chakra and formidable strength, devouring him once the time was right would be absolutely wonderful.

"Of the two who bear Cursed Seals, Sasuke Uchiha is somewhat inferior. Should he be eliminated?" Kabuto Yakushi asked for instructions.

"No." Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Sasuke's potential is beyond even your prediction. Besides, all I want is the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan."

"Understood!" Kabuto Yakushi nodded, put on his fox mask, and prepared to leave.

"Kabuto." Orochimaru suddenly called out. "You are also a rare and precious companion to me. Do not act rashly. With your strength, you still cannot harm Kakashi."

Orochimaru had seen through Kabuto Yakushi's thoughts with utter ease.

After leaving the forest, Kabuto Yakushi removed his ANBU attire and entered Konoha Hospital in his original appearance.

At the ward, he could see Sasuke Uchiha sleeping inside.

He quietly opened the door and entered. Chakra instantly condensed at the tip of one finger into the shape of a surgical scalpel.

"Being too outstanding is painful. Why not let me help you find release?" Just as Kabuto Yakushi was about to strike, a powerful chakra presence appeared behind him.

"Do people visit patients carrying knives?" Kakashi Hatake said coldly.

"Tch." Kabuto Yakushi thrust the chakra scalpel backward, then shattered the window and fled.

As he fell, his clothes changed once more into ANBU attire. Kakashi Hatake came to the window and exchanged a glance with the masked Kabuto Yakushi.

"Looks like I need to teach Sasuke something useful." Kakashi Hatake turned back toward Sasuke Uchiha on the hospital bed and muttered, "After all, the Uchiha Clan has no need to be protected by others."

That night, at the Aokawa Estate.

Tianming got dressed and walked out of his room.

"Ding! Mission activated! Go to Konoha's tallest building to check in."

Atop a tall building somewhere in Konoha, a red-haired youth with a massive gourd slung across his back was admiring the moon.

Two people stood behind him.

They were none other than Kabuto Yakushi, the representative of the Sound Ninja, and Ye Gui, a Sand Ninja jonin.

"The time to act will be during the third round of the Chunin Exams. Your task is to disrupt the inner grounds and draw Konoha's new generation of talent out of the village. Any problems?" Kabuto Yakushi asked calmly.

"Nothing major." After pondering for a moment, Ye Gui looked at Gaara's back beneath the moonlight and said, "The appeal of the One-Tail Shukaku should be enough. Although Gaara is difficult to control, his older sister Temari is quite cooperative."

"Very good. In one month, the Konoha Destruction Plan will commence!!"

Cough, cough! At that moment, a faint coughing sound suddenly rang out.

The next instant, his identity exposed, Hayate Gekko leaped out from the shadows without another word.

"A bug that came right to us?" Ye Gui swept out a hand. Chakra surged around him, and sand from every direction instantly wrapped Hayate Gekko completely.

"Ninjutsu! Sand Burial!"

The sand coating his body abruptly compressed into an irregular shape before exploding.

Hayate Gekko's battered, hole-ridden body fell silently onto the rooftop.

From the shadows some distance away, Qingchuan Tianming watched everything with an indifferent expression.

"Stand for ten seconds. Check-in mission completed!"

"Mission reward: Lightning Chakra (Mastery)!"

Witnessing Hayate Gekko being instantly killed, Tianming showed little reaction. He barely felt anything at all.

He was not someone who shouted about becoming a savior. Life and death were, in truth, commonplace for ninja.

Though Tianming had no intention of avenging Hayate Gekko, he kindly retrieved the body from the rooftop and handed it directly over to the patrolling ninja.

Before long, nearly every notable ninja in Konoha, along with several ANBU members, had gathered in the Hokage's office.

Among them, Qingchuan Tianming was probably the most conspicuous.

"Tianming, how did you discover this?" Kakashi Hatake asked after suppressing his astonishment.

"I was just taking a midnight stroll," Tianming replied blandly.

On the outskirts of Konoha, at Team 7's meeting spot, an effeminate-looking man leaned against a tree stump, greedily basking in the warm sunlight.

A rustle came from the forest, and a ninja dressed in a black robe and wearing a fox mask emerged from within.

"Orochimaru-sama, the arrangements for the first phase have been completed." After removing his mask, Kabuto Yakushi dropped to one knee and bowed.

"Has the Sand Ninja side been informed as well?" Orochimaru's voice was extremely hoarse.

"Yes. The One-Tail jinchuriki and several Sand Ninja jonin will act according to the instructions."

"Very good." Orochimaru was quite pleased with this trusted subordinate. After all, Kabuto possessed both strength and intelligence.

"By the way, how are Sasuke Uchiha and Qingchuan Tianming?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.

"Sasuke Uchiha is still lying in Konoha Hospital because of the power of the Cursed Seal, while Qingchuan Tianming appears to have resisted its power on his own." Kabuto Yakushi calmly reported the intelligence he had gathered.

"Interesting! Qingchuan Tianming! No wonder he is the vessel I value most!!"

Orochimaru had placed no fewer than eight hundred, if not a thousand, Cursed Seals, yet none of those who survived and could use their power had satisfied him.

But Qingchuan Tianming was different. With his exceptional chakra and formidable strength, devouring him once the time was right would be absolutely wonderful.

"Of the two who bear Cursed Seals, Sasuke Uchiha is somewhat inferior. Should he be eliminated?" Kabuto Yakushi asked for instructions.

"No." Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Sasuke's potential is beyond even your prediction. Besides, all I want is the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan."

"Understood!" Kabuto Yakushi nodded, put on his fox mask, and prepared to leave.

"Kabuto." Orochimaru suddenly called out. "You are also a rare and precious companion to me. Do not act rashly. With your strength, you still cannot harm Kakashi."

Orochimaru had seen through Kabuto Yakushi's thoughts with utter ease.

After leaving the forest, Kabuto Yakushi removed his ANBU attire and entered Konoha Hospital in his original appearance.

At the ward, he could see Sasuke Uchiha sleeping inside.

He quietly opened the door and entered. Chakra instantly condensed at the tip of one finger into the shape of a surgical scalpel.

"Being too outstanding is painful. Why not let me help you find release?" Just as Kabuto Yakushi was about to strike, a powerful chakra presence appeared behind him.

"Do people visit patients carrying knives?" Kakashi Hatake said coldly.

"Tch." Kabuto Yakushi thrust the chakra scalpel backward, then shattered the window and fled.

As he fell, his clothes changed once more into ANBU attire. Kakashi Hatake came to the window and exchanged a glance with the masked Kabuto Yakushi.

"Looks like I need to teach Sasuke something useful." Kakashi Hatake turned back toward Sasuke Uchiha on the hospital bed and muttered, "After all, the Uchiha Clan has no need to be protected by others."

That night, at the Aokawa Estate.

Tianming got dressed and walked out of his room.

"Ding! Mission activated! Go to Konoha's tallest building to check in."

Atop a tall building somewhere in Konoha, a red-haired youth with a massive gourd slung across his back was admiring the moon.

Two people stood behind him.

They were none other than Kabuto Yakushi, the representative of the Sound Ninja, and Ye Gui, a Sand Ninja jonin.

"The time to act will be during the third round of the Chunin Exams. Your task is to disrupt the inner grounds and draw Konoha's new generation of talent out of the village. Any problems?" Kabuto Yakushi asked calmly.

"Nothing major." After pondering for a moment, Ye Gui looked at Gaara's back beneath the moonlight and said, "The appeal of the One-Tail Shukaku should be enough. Although Gaara is difficult to control, his older sister Temari is quite cooperative."

"Very good. In one month, the Konoha Destruction Plan will commence!!"

Cough, cough! At that moment, a faint coughing sound suddenly rang out.

The next instant, his identity exposed, Hayate Gekko leaped out from the shadows without another word.

"A bug that came right to us?" Ye Gui swept out a hand. Chakra surged around him, and sand from every direction instantly wrapped Hayate Gekko completely.

"Ninjutsu! Sand Burial!"

The sand coating his body abruptly compressed into an irregular shape before exploding.

Hayate Gekko's battered, hole-ridden body fell silently onto the rooftop.

From the shadows some distance away, Qingchuan Tianming watched everything with an indifferent expression.

"Stand for ten seconds. Check-in mission completed!"

"Mission reward: Lightning Chakra (Mastery)!"

Witnessing Hayate Gekko being instantly killed, Tianming showed little reaction. He barely felt anything at all.

He was not someone who shouted about becoming a savior. Life and death were, in truth, commonplace for ninja.

Though Tianming had no intention of avenging Hayate Gekko, he kindly retrieved the body from the rooftop and handed it directly over to the patrolling ninja.

Before long, nearly every notable ninja in Konoha, along with several ANBU members, had gathered in the Hokage's office.

Among them, Qingchuan Tianming was probably the most conspicuous.

"Tianming, how did you discover this?" Kakashi Hatake asked after suppressing his astonishment.

"I was just taking a midnight stroll," Tianming replied blandly.

On the outskirts of Konoha, at Team 7's meeting spot, an effeminate-looking man leaned against a tree stump, greedily basking in the warm sunlight.

A rustle came from the forest, and a ninja dressed in a black robe and wearing a fox mask emerged from within.

"Orochimaru-sama, the arrangements for the first phase have been completed." After removing his mask, Kabuto Yakushi dropped to one knee and bowed.

"Has the Sand Ninja side been informed as well?" Orochimaru's voice was extremely hoarse.

"Yes. The One-Tail jinchuriki and several Sand Ninja jonin will act according to the instructions."

"Very good." Orochimaru was quite pleased with this trusted subordinate. After all, Kabuto possessed both strength and intelligence.

"By the way, how are Sasuke Uchiha and Qingchuan Tianming?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.

"Sasuke Uchiha is still lying in Konoha Hospital because of the power of the Cursed Seal, while Qingchuan Tianming appears to have resisted its power on his own." Kabuto Yakushi calmly reported the intelligence he had gathered.

"Interesting! Qingchuan Tianming! No wonder he is the vessel I value most!!"

Orochimaru had placed no fewer than eight hundred, if not a thousand, Cursed Seals, yet none of those who survived and could use their power had satisfied him.

But Qingchuan Tianming was different. With his exceptional chakra and formidable strength, devouring him once the time was right would be absolutely wonderful.

"Of the two who bear Cursed Seals, Sasuke Uchiha is somewhat inferior. Should he be eliminated?" Kabuto Yakushi asked for instructions.

"No." Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Sasuke's potential is beyond even your prediction. Besides, all I want is the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan."

"Understood!" Kabuto Yakushi nodded, put on his fox mask, and prepared to leave.

"Kabuto." Orochimaru suddenly called out. "You are also a rare and precious companion to me. Do not act rashly. With your strength, you still cannot harm Kakashi."

Orochimaru had seen through Kabuto Yakushi's thoughts with utter ease.

After leaving the forest, Kabuto Yakushi removed his ANBU attire and entered Konoha Hospital in his original appearance.

At the ward, he could see Sasuke Uchiha sleeping inside.

He quietly opened the door and entered. Chakra instantly condensed at the tip of one finger into the shape of a surgical scalpel.

"Being too outstanding is painful. Why not let me help you find release?" Just as Kabuto Yakushi was about to strike, a powerful chakra presence appeared behind him.

"Do people visit patients carrying knives?" Kakashi Hatake said coldly.

"Tch." Kabuto Yakushi thrust the chakra scalpel backward, then shattered the window and fled.

As he fell, his clothes changed once more into ANBU attire. Kakashi Hatake came to the window and exchanged a glance with the masked Kabuto Yakushi.

"Looks like I need to teach Sasuke something useful." Kakashi Hatake turned back toward Sasuke Uchiha on the hospital bed and muttered, "After all, the Uchiha Clan has no need to be protected by others."

That night, at the Aokawa Estate.

Tianming got dressed and walked out of his room.

"Ding! Mission activated! Go to Konoha's tallest building to check in."

Atop a tall building somewhere in Konoha, a red-haired youth with a massive gourd slung across his back was admiring the moon.

Two people stood behind him.

They were none other than Kabuto Yakushi, the representative of the Sound Ninja, and Ye Gui, a Sand Ninja jonin.

"The time to act will be during the third round of the Chunin Exams. Your task is to disrupt the inner grounds and draw Konoha's new generation of talent out of the village. Any problems?" Kabuto Yakushi asked calmly.

"Nothing major." After pondering for a moment, Ye Gui looked at Gaara's back beneath the moonlight and said, "The appeal of the One-Tail Shukaku should be enough. Although Gaara is difficult to control, his older sister Temari is quite cooperative."

"Very good. In one month, the Konoha Destruction Plan will commence!!"

Cough, cough! At that moment, a faint coughing sound suddenly rang out.

The next instant, his identity exposed, Hayate Gekko leaped out from the shadows without another word.

"A bug that came right to us?" Ye Gui swept out a hand. Chakra surged around him, and sand from every direction instantly wrapped Hayate Gekko completely.

"Ninjutsu! Sand Burial!"

The sand coating his body abruptly compressed into an irregular shape before exploding.

Hayate Gekko's battered, hole-ridden body fell silently onto the rooftop.

From the shadows some distance away, Qingchuan Tianming watched everything with an indifferent expression.

"Stand for ten seconds. Check-in mission completed!"

"Mission reward: Lightning Chakra (Mastery)!"

Witnessing Hayate Gekko being instantly killed, Tianming showed little reaction. He barely felt anything at all.

He was not someone who shouted about becoming a savior. Life and death were, in truth, commonplace for ninja.

Though Tianming had no intention of avenging Hayate Gekko, he kindly retrieved the body from the rooftop and handed it directly over to the patrolling ninja.

Before long, nearly every notable ninja in Konoha, along with several ANBU members, had gathered in the Hokage's office.

Qingchuan Tianming was probably the most conspicuous among them.

"Tianming, how did you find out?" Kakashi Hatake asked, putting away his astonished expression.

"I was just taking a stroll in the middle of the night," Tianming said calmly.

On the outskirts of Konoha, at Team 7's meeting spot, a feminine-looking man leaned against a tree stump, greedily basking in the warm sunlight.

At that moment, rustling came from the forest, and a ninja in a black robe and fox mask emerged from within.

"Lord Orochimaru, the arrangements for the first phase have been made." After removing his mask, Kabuto Yakushi dropped to one knee and bowed.

"Have the Sand Ninja been informed as well?" Orochimaru's voice was extremely hoarse.

"Yes. The One-Tail jinchuriki and several Sand Ninja jonin will act according to orders."

"Very good." Orochimaru was quite satisfied with this trusted subordinate. After all, he possessed both strength and intelligence.

"By the way, how are Sasuke Uchiha and Qingchuan Tianming?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.

"Sasuke Uchiha is still lying in Konoha Hospital due to the power of the Cursed Seal, while Qingchuan Tianming seems to have resisted the Cursed Seal's power on his own." Kabuto Yakushi calmly reported the intelligence he had gathered.

"Interesting! Qingchuan Tianming! He truly is the vessel I value most!!"

Orochimaru had placed no fewer than eight hundred, if not a thousand, Cursed Seals, yet none of those who survived and could use their power had satisfied him.

But Qingchuan Tianming was different. With his extreme chakra and formidable strength, devouring him once the time was ripe would be simply perfect.

"Of the two bearing Cursed Seals, Sasuke Uchiha is inferior. Should he be eliminated?" Kabuto Yakushi asked for instructions.

"No." Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Sasuke's potential is also beyond your prediction, and I only want the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan."

"Understood!" Kabuto Yakushi nodded, put on his fox mask, and prepared to leave.

"Kabuto." Orochimaru suddenly spoke. "You are also a rare and valuable companion to me. Don't act rashly. With your strength, you still can't harm Kakashi."

Orochimaru had seen through Kabuto Yakushi's thoughts with ease.

After leaving the forest, Kabuto Yakushi removed his ANBU attire and entered Konoha Hospital in his original appearance.

Outside the ward, he could see Sasuke Uchiha sleeping inside.

He gently opened the door and walked in. Kabuto Yakushi extended a finger, and chakra instantly condensed into the shape of a scalpel.

"Being too outstanding is painful. Why not let me help free you?" Just as Kabuto Yakushi was about to strike, a powerful chakra presence appeared behind him.

"Do people visit patients with knives?" Kakashi Hatake said coldly.

"Tch." Kabuto Yakushi thrust the chakra scalpel backward, then smashed through the window and fled.

As he fell, his outfit changed back into ANBU attire. Kakashi Hatake came to the window and exchanged a glance with the masked Kabuto Yakushi.

"Looks like I need to teach Sasuke something useful." Kakashi Hatake turned back toward Sasuke Uchiha on the hospital bed and muttered, "After all, the Uchiha Clan doesn't need anyone's protection."

That night, at the Aokawa Estate.

Tianming got dressed and walked out of his room.

"Ding! Mission activated! Go to Konoha's tallest building to check in."

On top of a high-rise building somewhere in Konoha, a red-haired youth with a massive gourd slung across his back admired the moon.

Behind him stood two people.

They were none other than Kabuto Yakushi, the representative of the Sound Ninja, and Ye Gui, a Sand Ninja jonin.

"The time to act is set for the third round of the Chunin Exams. Your task is to disrupt the inner arena while drawing Konoha's rising talents out of the village. Any problems?" Kabuto Yakushi asked calmly.

"Nothing major." Ye Gui considered it briefly before looking at Gaara's back beneath the moon. "The One-Tail Shukaku should be enough to draw them out. Though Gaara is difficult to control, his older sister Temari is quite cooperative."

"Very good. In one month, the Konoha Destruction Plan will begin!!"

"Cough, cough!" At that moment, a faint coughing sound suddenly rang out.

In the next instant, Hayate Gekko, his identity exposed, leaped out from the shadows without another word.

"A bug that delivered itself to us?" Ye Gui swept out his hand. Chakra rippled around him, and sand from all directions instantly wrapped around Hayate Gekko completely.

"Ninjutsu! Sand Burial!"

The sand coating his body suddenly compressed into an irregular shape, followed immediately by an explosion.

Hayate Gekko's riddled body fell silently onto the rooftop.

From the shadows some distance away, Qingchuan Tianming watched it all indifferently.

"Remain standing for ten seconds. Check-in mission complete!"

"Mission reward: Lightning Chakra (Mastery)!"

After witnessing Hayate Gekko being instantly killed, Tianming showed no particular reaction. He did not even feel anything.

He was not someone who shouted about becoming a savior. In truth, life and death were commonplace for ninja.

Although Tianming had no intention of avenging Hayate Gekko, he kindly retrieved the body from the rooftop and handed it directly to the patrolling ninja.

Before long, nearly every prominent ninja in Konoha, along with several ANBU members, had gathered in the Hokage's office.

Qingchuan Tianming was probably the most conspicuous among them.

"Tianming, how did you find out?" Kakashi Hatake asked, putting away his astonished expression.

"I was just taking a stroll in the middle of the night," Tianming said calmly.