As long as it's mission-related, I won't laugh, no matter how funny it is!

Sixia wasted no time and got straight to the point.

"Kakuzu, we've got a mission!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

"It's time for our mission-maniac squad to shine again!"

"Let's go to Konoha and pull off something big!"

Kakuzu remained seated on his bed, perfectly upright and brimming with confidence.

Unfortunately, Amegakure's tobacco industry wasn't very developed. Otherwise, Kakuzu would have lit a cigarette, leisurely blown a smoke ring, and then answered.

But that was fine. He could steal some from Konoha's crown prince when he got the chance.

After Sixia explained why he had come.

A look of regret appeared on Kakuzu's face.

He shook his head and declared firmly, "Sorry, I'm not going with you this time."

Sixia: "???"

After a brief moment of surprise, Sixia was amused.

Kakuzu!

You really have gotten full of yourself!

Do you think whether you go is up to you?

Apparently, Kakuzu had forgotten the terror of being hauled over Sixia's shoulder to the black market to carry out missions.

But Sixia didn't get physical. Instead, he asked, "Why won't you come with me?"

As the Shinobi World's ultimate wage slave, Kakuzu had been working since the First Hokage's era.

His sterling reputation carried weight at every black market in the Shinobi World.

Of course, Sixia could let Kakuzu rest when there were no missions.

But hadn't a mission just come in?

Naturally, that meant bringing Kakuzu along.

"Sigh..."

Kakuzu sighed, then spoke with pointed sarcasm.

"It's not that I don't want to go. I already have a new mission."

He spread his hands, his face a picture of helplessness.

But beneath his mask, the corners of his mouth were harder to keep down than an AK's recoil. He couldn't hide his smugness.

He wasn't lying. He really had received a mission.

Sixia asked curiously, "What mission? Let's go together."

Kakuzu shook his head regretfully. "No, my mission isn't in the same direction as yours."

"The organization assigned me to recruit a new member, so I can't join you on your mission."

Then Kakuzu continued with an air of profound regret, "I'm about to leave for my mission."

"You should get ready and go do yours, too."

Sixia: "!!!???"

After a speechless moment, Sixia complained.

"If you don't come, won't there be loads of missions I can't pick up along the way?"

At the black market, he was merely a "new brand" established less than a year ago.

Kakuzu was different. He was a century-old "established name."

Sixia could pick up missions relatively easily in Amegakure, Kusagakure, and even Kirigakure.

He had already made a name for himself in those three places.

But outside those areas, his reputation as a mission harvester wouldn't do him much good.

Hearing Sixia's words, Kakuzu felt immensely pleased with himself.

When they had gone on missions together before, Sixia hadn't treated him like a human being.

Even Earth Grudge Fear couldn't withstand those endless missions, day and night!

Now things were different. The Akatsuki had given him a dedicated mission, so Sixia couldn't torment him anymore.

Watching Sixia's stunned expression, Kakuzu secretly reveled in his delight.

He looked at Sixia and said with complete seriousness.

"This time, we can't join forces and sweep up missions all the way to Konoha."

"I'm heartbroken and deeply regretful, too."

"But there's nothing we can do about it."

"I promise, definitely next time!"

Sixia asked suspiciously, "But why do I feel like you aren't sorry at all and are actually laughing?"

Kakuzu flatly denied it. "I received specialized training back in Takigakure!"

"As long as it's mission-related, I won't laugh, no matter how funny it is!"

"All right, I'm off on my mission!"

"Pfft!"

As he spoke, he hurried out of his room, afraid he would lose control and laugh too openly.

Finally, he had his moment of triumph!

After the organization assigned him the mission, he had kept putting it off just to wait for Sixia to return.

He had been sitting at home in eager anticipation for ages, and the moment had finally arrived. It had been decades since he'd felt this good.

After Kakuzu left, Sixia went to find Kisame Hoshigaki.

If Kakuzu wouldn't come, the honest, dependable Kisame would do.

The Akatsuki generally sent members on missions in pairs.

They could keep an eye on each other and help each other out.

Of course, solo missions and missions with larger groups existed, too.

Sixia used Mantra to scan the area.

Once he located Kisame, Sixia activated Kāma's spatial teleportation ability and headed over.

He brought Karin along with him.

Seeing Sixia arrive, Kisame's heart sank.

Trouble's come knocking!

Why did this devil suddenly show up?

And when did he master such powerful Space-Time Ninjutsu?

Kisame Hoshigaki nervously licked his lips.

"Uzumaki Shixia, what are you doing here?"

Sixia got straight to the point. "I received a mission that requires a trip to Konoha."

"I'd like to invite you to join me on the mission."

Kisame Hoshigaki immediately shook his head so hard it practically left afterimages.

"No, no, absolutely not!"

Kisame Hoshigaki might have been honest and straightforward, but he had learned his lesson.

Missions with other people cost time and energy. Missions with Sixia could cost him his life!

During their last mission to Kirigakure, Sixia had gone off the rails and beaten him half to death.

Then, after Kirigakure named its price, Sixia had nearly sold him off.

Sure, missions with Uchiha Itachi always involved traveling on foot and proceeding at a leisurely pace.

But at least they were safe!

At the very least, Itachi was absolutely dependable.

Even if seven or eight spies turned up in the Akatsuki, Itachi could never be one of them!

Kisame Hoshigaki's face was now filled with refusal, wariness, and distaste.

He really didn't want to go on another mission with Sixia.

Once Kisame Hoshigaki made it clear he wouldn't go even if it killed him, Sixia was utterly speechless.

"Fuck! Why do all of you let me down when it matters?"

"If none of you will go, am I supposed to head into somewhere as dangerous as Konoha alone?"

Kisame Hoshigaki said nothing, but he thought to himself.

Uzumaki Shixia is at least as dangerous as Konoha, if not more.

If I run into Konoha ninja and can't beat them, I can still escape.

If I run into Uzumaki Shixia, I can neither beat him nor escape.

Just then, Karin obediently peeked her little head over Sixia's shoulder.

Then she said warmly, "Sixia, don't worry! They don't like you and won't go on missions with you, but I don't mind. I'll always go on missions with you!"

Sixia turned to face Karin's earnest little expression, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Still, warmth filled his heart. No matter the circumstances, having a companion by his side was always better than being alone.

"All right, Karin!"

"Then let's get ready to leave... cough, cough, cough!"

Full of enthusiasm, Karin nodded solemnly. At the same time, the little arms hanging around Sixia's neck unconsciously tightened.

"Okay!"

She would work hard to become a worthy partner and never disappoint Sixia!

Naturally, Sixia didn't know what Karin was thinking. He was busy wondering how those skinny little limbs could have so much strength.

Otherwise, he would surely have exclaimed that this was the power of bonds.

Bonds were the supreme law of the Shinobi World.

Anyone who violated that law would get slapped twice, even the God of Ōtsutsuki.

Karin was very happy about this mission to Konoha.

Before, she had only been Sixia's little assistant.

This time was different. She was his partner now!

But after they had traveled some distance, Sixia stopped with an unhappy expression.

Seeing his expression, Karin asked nervously, "Sixia, did something happen?"

Sixia nodded and complained.

"I don't know the local scene, and my luck was bad. I couldn't even pick up a merchant caravan escort mission!"

"What a huge loss!"

The mission payment didn't matter, but the system rewards certainly did.

Karin: "..."

She had thought something truly awful had happened.

After hesitating briefly, she asked uncertainly, "So are we going to use Space-Time Ninjutsu to get there?"

Sixia shook his head. "No. The reason we couldn't pick up an escort mission was that I don't know the local scene."

"I'm going to use Wood Release clones to complete missions at every black market along the way and make a name for myself."

"That'll make picking up missions much easier in the future!"

As he finished speaking, he formed hand seals.

One Wood Release clone after another broke through the ground, rapidly growing into shape.

Sixia decided that old bastard Kakuzu absolutely could not find out he had failed to get an escort mission.

He was the Shinobi World's illustrious mission harvester, yet he couldn't get the mission he wanted once he left familiar territory. It would be embarrassing if word got out.

Looking at the crowd of Wood Release clones around Sixia, Karin asked in surprise.

"Sixia, is it really okay to send out so many Wood Release clones?"

Karin was also puzzled. As a fellow descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, she had plenty of chakra, but she wasn't remotely on Sixia's level.

Karin didn't know that Sixia had reached the level of "chakratons" long ago.

As for now, he was unquestionably at the level of "chakratons" multiplied by "chakratons."

Even Naruto would have exclaimed, "That's huge, believe it!"

Sixia casually reached up and ruffled Karin's red hair, then said.

"Of course it's fine. I feel like I've barely used any chakra."

Karin puffed out her cheeks and immediately swung her little fists at Sixia.

Sixia always loved messing up the hair she had so carefully combed. It was infuriating!

Faced with Karin's little fists whirling like windmills, Sixia took off running.

No matter how capable Karin was, she couldn't catch Sixia, whose mastery of Lightning Release was extraordinary.

After chasing him for a while and falling farther and farther behind, she had no choice but to use ninjutsu.

Bzzzt-

A transparent spiral appeared in front of Karin, and the next instant, she vanished.

When she reappeared, she was right in front of Sixia, blocking his path with puffed-up cheeks!

If Sixia didn't have Space-Time Ninjutsu, he wouldn't have been able to get away!

Sixia was actually teaching Karin combat techniques through their playful tussles, helping her grow and improve.

Karin was a versatile talent, both an excellent sensory ninja and an excellent medical ninja.

Now that she possessed the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, her combat capabilities could be outstanding as well.

Under Sixia's careful guidance, Karin's chakra now possessed four natures: water, earth, yin, and yang.

As a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, she already had enormous reserves of chakra.

Combined with her current top-tier abilities, her combat options extended beyond Sealing Jutsu and the Sharingan.

She could also follow the Sea Release route like the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. With so much chakra and such powerful abilities, she could certainly give it a try.

"Susanoo!"

Karin also knew that Sixia was teaching her combat skills through their playful sparring.

So after catching up to Sixia, she immediately activated Susanoo.

Boom!

A massive pink skeleton quickly formed around Karin.

Then translucent flesh rapidly grew over its bones.

Gradually, it even developed legs and a suit of armor.

Karin then directed Susanoo to attack Sixia.

Clang!

With a ringing sound, Susanoo drew its long sword and swept it horizontally.

Whoosh!

That single slash cut through countless trees nearby.

Sixia leaned backward, slipping into a dark red portal with Kāma's teleportation ability.

The next instant, another dark red portal appeared above Susanoo's head.

Wreathed in lightning, he slammed down hard toward Susanoo below.

"How about a duck neck!"

Boom!

Even without using his full strength, Sixia still sent Karin's Susanoo swaying.

Sixia's mastery of Lightning Release had already surpassed that of every Lightning Release specialist in the history of the Shinobi World.

After seeing his incredible mastery of Lightning Release, even Kumogakure's Raikage might come to learn a thing or two.

Whoosh!

Under Karin's control, Susanoo slashed its long sword at Sixia above its head.

This time, Sixia did not escape with Space-Time Ninjutsu. Instead, with a flash of lightning, he appeared in front of Susanoo's forehead.

"Lariat!"

Bang!

A fist crackling with lightning slammed into Susanoo's forehead.

With a dull thud, the enormous Susanoo reeled under his blow.

Sixia did not use Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands this time. Otherwise, he would simply have recreated Madara and Hashirama's battle.

After exchanging thirty rounds with Karin, he spoke to her.

"Let's end today's training here."

Hearing that, Karin deactivated Susanoo.

Then she asked expectantly, "Sixia, have I improved?"

Sixia nodded, thinking to himself, You've improved tremendously.

After all, in the original worldline, Karin could not even beat a bear when she took the Chunin Ninja Exams.

With Karin's current strength, that bear she encountered in the forest during the Chunin Ninja Exams would hardly pose a problem.

As long as it wasn't Nobita Nobi arriving with Doraemon, she could pretty much handle any bear that came her way.

However, Sixia also noticed a problem: Karin did not have many ways to attack.

She could naturally handle ordinary small fry with ease.

But against a ninja who was relatively formidable without being particularly strong, there was clearly no need for her to chase them around in a Gundam.

Still, the thought only briefly crossed Sixia's mind, and he did not dwell on it.

Before long, he brought Karin to a clearing.

Then he clapped his hands together and performed a Ninjutsu.

"Wood Release: Villa Technique!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Logs and planks rapidly sprouted from the ground, arranging and reshaping themselves just as quickly.

Before long, a luxurious wooden villa stood before Sixia and Karin.

There was no denying that Sixia knew how to enjoy himself.

Wood Release: Four Pillars House Technique, also known as Wood Release: Three Rooms and Two Halls Technique, had been perfected by Captain Yamato.

But in Sixia's hands, it had long since evolved.

Fueled by Sixia's tons of chakra, Wood Release: Grand Villa Technique might now be a more fitting name.

After building the villa with Wood Release, Sixia said casually, "Karin, let's stay here tonight."