Several days later, in the evening,
Sasori and Deidara, dressed in red cloud and black robes, checked into an inn in Tanzaku Town.
Hundreds of clay reptiles and lifeless puppet spiders spread out in all directions from the hotel.
Tomorrow is the day of the deal with Orochimaru.
In the nameless tavern, Tsunade and Jiraiya, their faces flushed, drank and reminisced about the past.
Seeing that Jiraiya was getting a little drunk, Tsunade mixed a colorless and odorless potion into Jiraiya's wine glass.
Another round of toasts.
Watching Jiraiya finish his glass of strong liquor, Tsunade pulled out a tissue to wipe the drops of liquor from her lips, a hint of clarity and determination flashing in her eyes.
On the vast plains, the moonlight and gentle breeze bring a touch of coolness.
"Is this the place where... the two Sannin made their deal?"
Suigetsu blinked her big eyes at Shisui, "You're really amazing, you even managed to find out this in advance."
Shisui nodded. "The gift my dear friend left behind played a significant role."
"My current strength is indeed much greater than before."
The gift that Haruma left for him and Fugaku was Mangekyō purchased from the system, possessing the same abilities as their eyes.
The compatibility is even better and faster than the Mangekyō fusion effect between blood relatives!
Fugaku and Shisui's strength also increased several levels after their Mangekyō Sharingan evolved into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan!
Whether it's eyesight, the power of his Dōjutsu, or his Chakra, there has been a leap forward!
That's why Shisui was able to overhear the conversation between Tsunade and Orochimaru, who had lost both hands.
"That's wonderful!" Suigetsu exclaimed enviously. "I'm curious what kind of amazing gift Boss Fu left that could be so effective."
Meeting Suigetsu's inquisitive eyes, Shisui awkwardly scratched his head.
It's not that I'm unwilling to talk about it, but it's a secret concerning the Uchiha Clan.
Since neither Haruma nor the Fugaku clan chief spoke, Shisui naturally wouldn't say anything out of turn.
Seeing Shisui's somewhat embarrassed expression, Karin jumped out before Sasuke could even speak.
"Grass!" (a type of green plant)
Karin pointed at Suigetsu's nose with displeasure, "Are you jealous that Master is giving Shisui special treatment? Are you upset that Master didn't leave you a gift?"
"Are you saying the adult is unfair?!"
"When the adults get back, I'm going to give you a good scolding and let you experience the thrill of electric shocks even more!"
Karin yelled "Suigetsu!" while cautiously glancing at Sasuke's profile, her heart pounding.
I've already called Shisui- nii (older brother Shisui), Sasuke didn't object, so he must have feelings for me too, right?
Karin thought to herself, her face turning bright red.
Suigetsu, who had been inexplicably reprimanded, was slightly taken aback.
"Hey, you little red-haired girl, don't talk nonsense! I never had such thoughts!"
Remembering Haruma's methods, Suigetsu felt a chill run down her spine. " Kimimaro, Haku, you two are my witnesses, I didn't say any of those treasonous things!"
Bai smiled gently without reacting, her tender gaze fixed on her companions' playful antics.
White was grateful that after fleeing his hometown, he chose to hide in Kirigakure and beg for food.
Then he met Lord Zabuza, the boss, and his current companions.
It all felt like a beautiful dream.
If I had to point out any shortcomings in this dream...
The only flaw
Perhaps it's because they've never received a salary or any task rewards.
The dark underground.
Two or three kerosene lamps, casting a pale yellow glow, made the secret room even more eerie.
Orochimaru, his hands wrapped in bandages, sat at the head of the table, half his face obscured by shadow and the other half illuminated by the flickering candlelight.
Thinking about his meeting with Tsunade tomorrow, Orochimaru grinned, revealing a faint, enigmatic smile.
"My lord, judging from your confident Tsunade, are you certain that Tsunade will accept our proposal?"
Kabuto, standing to the left, adjusted his glasses and asked respectfully but with a hint of confusion, "Would Tsunade really heal your hands to revive your lover and brother?"
"After all, she knows that you killed her master and that you even plotted to destroy Konoha founded by her grandfather."
"I can't be sure what Tsunade will choose," Orochimaru shook his head, smiling nonchalantly. "She might save her, she might not."
"Then you?"
Instead of answering Kabuto's question, Orochimaru said something that made Kabuto even more confused.
"In the past, I only wanted to be the wind that could destroy everything."
"But what if everything is already predetermined, and everything is under your watchful eye?"
"Then I wouldn't mind being that windmill, driven by the wind."
On the other side,
Because of Kisame, Haruma didn't use Flying Thunder God to travel too quickly.
They were simply making their way to the Land of Lightning, and the group had only just left the Land of Land of Fire.
Asuma's body had long since been converted into a bounty and ended up in Haruma's pocket.
In a dark mountain cave, four grown men sat around a large campfire.
The incomplete carcasses of wild boar and deer were still hanging above the campfire, sizzling and dripping oil.
The enchanting fragrance filled the air, yet not a single wild animal dared to approach the cave entrance.
Haruma rightfully took the best spot.
He was happily gnawing on a pork leg in one hand and a venison leg in the other.
Kisame tore off a large piece of meat, and while eating, he grumbled at Haruma, "You cult brat, we're almost at the border of the Land of Lightning, isn't it time to tell us who our mission target is?"
"No rush."
Without even looking up, Haruma replied cheerfully, "Just be patient for a few more days, and I'll let you know when it's time."
"Snort,"
Kisame gave a disgruntled snort, but did not press the matter further.
This wasn't the first time they'd had such a conversation, but whenever Kisame showed signs of getting even angrier, Itachi would stop him.
Kisame was puzzled, but he assumed Itachi was thinking about the mission and team unity, and didn't investigate further.
Knowing the truth, Kakuzu leaned against the cave wall, leisurely enjoying his game.
Hearing their conversation, Kakuzu glanced at Kisame with a sympathetic look.
Along the way,
Kisame called the boss "Cult Kid" forty-three times, making it forty-four times in total, including this time.
Although there was no retaliation for a long time, the boss even gave a relatively good-natured response.
But the more this happened, the more Kakuzu felt Kisame's fate would be...
After all, death row inmates are usually given a good meal before their execution.
Itachi and Kakuzu the same thing.
Although he wanted to protect Kisame, he felt increasingly powerless.
Itachi has already done his best to get Kisame to do this.
Haruma ate heartily, she was also pondering how to deal with Kisame.
Whether to kill them outright or treat them as tools for manipulation is a question worth pondering.
As for Shisui, Haruma wasn't too worried.
With the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, dealing with a half-crippled Orochimaru after the war should not be a mistake.
Kimimaro and the others were sent away by Haruma to broaden their horizons and gain experience.
The group has gone out on many missions, but they have little experience with top-tier ninja combat.
After all, apart from Suigetsu, the Gold Medal Squad were formed after Haruma took control of the Land of Water.
This is also why Suigetsu is so afraid of Haruma.
Suigetsu, who once served under Genji, witnessed firsthand the boss who was disguised as the God of the Shinobi World...
How did he manage to single-handedly pierce through an entire Bloody Mist?!