Escape From Konoha

Kakuzu's sudden appearance instantly caused a huge reversal in the situation here.

The mysterious color that blends with the night, and the powerful aura that even if it is restrained to the extreme, still unnaturally leaks out, make his presence known all the time, and is extremely dangerous to everyone present.

"Who are you……"

Jiraiya looked at Kakuzu who suddenly walked out of the darkness in surprise, not realizing that there was such a dangerous ninja here. Then, his expression became serious and the nerves in his body began to tense.

He felt a huge pressure from Kakuzu.

A ninja with this kind of aura has extraordinary strength.

"Don't be nervous. I have no intention of fighting with you Konoha ninjas. The purpose of my coming here is just to collect debts. After I dig out the money he owes, you can do whatever you want with him."

Just as Jiraiya was afraid of him, Kakuzu was also troubled by Jiraiya's strength.

In a battle with a ninja of this level, it would be impossible to determine the outcome in a short period of time, and there might even be a risk of failure.

However, as a top debt collector in the pyramid, he cannot ruin his reputation.

It would be great if the conflict could be resolved through negotiation.

If that doesn't work, it just so happens that I can experience the strength of the Konoha Sannin, and I shouldn't be disappointed.

"Are you kidding? This is an important criminal."

Regarding Kakuzu's request, Jiraiya chose to refuse without hesitation.

Moreover, Kakuzu's outfit and the golden medal hanging on his black coat all showed the other party's identity.

Although it is not affiliated with the military of the Kingdom of Demons, it still serves the financial institutions of the Kingdom of Demons.

If it fell into his hands, it would be equivalent to falling into the hands of the ghost country's military.

"In other words, are you going to hinder my debt collection work?"

Kakuzu's voice suddenly became dull, with a hint of undetectable coldness.

However, the senses of the people present were so sharp. They noticed the change in Kakuzu's attitude before and after, and the ninjas belonging to Konoha immediately became vigilant.

And they locked their eyes firmly on Kakuzu, fearing that the other party would make a surprise attack and catch them off guard.

Being attacked by a ninja of this level, most people have no guarantee of surviving.

Jiraiya also took a step forward, blocking the strong murderous aura emanating from Kakuzu. His face looked calm, but a thick layer of chakra was secretly smeared on the soles of his feet to cope with Kakuzu's surprise attack.

"Hey, what should we do now? Do we want to make a strategic move?"

Yamazaki walked to Cai's side and asked quietly.

The strength of every ninja here is very terrifying. If he is involved in the battlefield of a ninja of this level, even if he flies high in the sky and has the air superiority, he may not be able to protect his life.

His intuition told him that if he got involved in the battlefield, he would die miserably.

"No need, reinforcements have arrived."

Cai shook her head, then turned her head and looked upward, as if she had discovered something.

Sensing Ai's gaze, Yamazaki Kyuya couldn't help but look toward the top of the rock wall behind him.

I saw figures above the rock wall flashing in the moonlight, one...five...eleven...seventeen...the number soon exceeded twenty.

These people stood uniformly on the edge of the cliff, their clothes fluttering in the wind. They were either indifferent or sternly looking down at them, forming a clear opposition to the ninjas of Konoha.

Seeing these people appear, Yamazaki Jiu's heartbeat finally calmed down and he felt extremely relieved.

After all, Konoha's side has a lot of strength. If they fight, it will definitely be a one-to-many situation. Still facing an elite like Anbu, with his strength, he will soon be out of the game.

But now the situation is different. In terms of numbers, their side is not less than the ninjas of Konoha, and there are even more.

Even if they fight, they can ensure that their own people can escape unscathed.

Jiraiya also noticed the appearance of this group of people and frowned.

Half of the more than twenty ninjas who suddenly appeared on the rock wall were debt collectors affiliated with the Shion Flower Merchant Association. In addition, the remaining ninjas were all wandering witches and ninjas from the Demon Country's military. constitute.

In terms of strength alone, Konoha definitely has the advantage. After all, the people here are all elites from the Anbu and Roots, and they basically have Jōnin-level strength.

However, there are a large number of ninjas from the Kingdom of Oni who have come to support them. Using their numerical advantage, they can make up for the gap in strength. If a conflict breaks out here, it's hard to say who will win. The most likely outcome is that both sides will suffer losses, and both sides will lose more than they gain.

"Jiraiya-sama, please retreat here first. It would be unwise to conflict with them here. At this time, let's get Naruto safely back to Konoha first."

Tenzo used the teleportation technique to dodge to Jiraiya's side and whispered in his ear.

Naruto has been rescued and there is no need to conflict with the people from the Kingdom of Ghosts here. It would be bad if another accident happened.

After Jiraiya heard this, he glanced at Kakuzu, whose eyes were locked on his own. With the opponent staring closely at him, even if he launched a surprise attack, the effect would probably be minimal.

Thinking of this, Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh, and said to Kakuzu: "I'll give you a face this time, take him away."

"Smart choice, this is the best outcome for both of us."

The deepness in Kakuzu's tone also dissipated a bit, and the cold murderous aura gradually faded from his green eyes.

Then, Kakuzu walked up to the tall and thin man and carried him on his shoulders like a piece of cargo.

And this little weight, to Jiaodu, is as light as nothing.

"I will take this person away first. After I get the money from him, I will hand him over to your military for interrogation."

After saying that, Kakuzu's figure flashed and disappeared from everyone's sight, and it was unknown where he went.

The Oni Country ninjas on the top of the rock wall also dispersed one by one when they saw Kakuzu leaving.

The tense atmosphere that was originally about to break out in the battle with the Konoha ninjas subsided like a tide, as if the two sides had never been against each other.

"Let's go too."

Cai signaled Xiang Rin and Yamazaki Jiu with her eyes and prepared to leave.

"Wait, that kid over there."

Jiraiya's voice sounded from behind.

Sai paused and turned to look at Jiraiya in confusion.

"Are you calling me, Jiraiya Jounin?"

"That's right."

"can I help you?"

Cai's eyes became even more confused.

It stands to reason that he and Jiraiya have never had contact in the past, and there is no contact between the two parties. He doesn't know why the other party stopped him.

"You...are Qianye Baishi's son."

Jiraiya affirmed.

"That is indeed my father. Jiraiya Jounin has something to say, do you want me to entrust it to my father?"

Sai put the sniper rifle in her hand back behind her back and looked at Jiraiya to ask.

"There is nothing to say between me and him. However, as an elder, I still want to advise him that those who do unjust things will be punished by themselves. I hope he can do it well and don't make the same mistake again. You just Say this to him, I think he will understand."

Jiraiya said seriously.

"Really? I understand. I will tell him this sentence intact."

Cai nodded obediently, as if she respected Jiraiya, a senior ninja.

But the moment she turned around, the coldness in Cai's eyes flashed away, and she jumped to the rock wall, and her figure disappeared on the cliff.

Xiang Rin and Yamazaki Jiu looked at each other. Perhaps in the eyes of others, Cai's reaction was nothing, on the contrary, it was quite normal. But as teammates, they knew very well that this was a precursor to the other party's anger.

"I hope that the child's words can have some effect."

Looking at the direction where Sai disappeared under the moonlight, Jiraiya sighed again.

As a family member, maybe it can play a role, this is Jiraiya's inner thought.

◎

"Cai, don't pay attention to what Konoha ninjas say, Lord Shiraishi is not the kind of person they imagined at all."

Together with Yamazaki Ku, Kaoru catches up with Aya and comforts her.

The mission of chasing down the Four Elephants of the Takumi Ninja Village was completed. The next step for them was to meet up with the leading Jonin Uchiha Yan, and then return to the Kingdom of Demons.

"That's right. Fortunately, that person named Jiraiya is still a senior in the ninja world. As a result, he can only say bad things behind others. Maybe it's because he was defeated at the hands of Lord Shiraishi and he felt jealous."

Yamazaki Kuya comforted him, his face became angry.

Hearing the words of comfort from the two of them, Cai just shook her head and replied: "Don't worry, you two, I wasn't angry because of those words. I know very well what dad's reputation is in the mouths of other big countries, even in The words from Xiaoguo's mouth will probably not be good, and the number of people who want him to fall is countless. Jiraiya of Konoha is just one of them."

Cai never thought that her father would change himself due to other people's thoughts.

That is a man who unswervingly implements his own beliefs and will not be diverted by any external things from his once determined goals.

If Jiraiya asked him to tell it, even if he told it after he returned, it would not attract the man's attention at all.

Perhaps, there was no need to even relay it to him.

Just nonsense.

"Next, I'll meet up with Teacher Yan, and then return to the Kingdom of Ghosts. It's been a while since I left."

Sai put Jiraiya's question behind her and just wanted to return to the country as soon as possible.

"Actually, it's not bad to go out to perform tasks like the rest of the troops. Just patrolling the border. To be honest, although the life is comforting, it is also too peaceful. There is no passion for being a ninja."

Xianglin caught up with Cai and expressed his own emotion.

"There is nothing less passionate about the career of a ninja. As novices, it is already considered good for us to be able to get the border patrol position."

Yamazaki retorted to Xiang Rin.

"Forget it if you are a coward, don't take me with you. I want to become a jounin as soon as possible and get rid of the status of a pawn."

Xianglin snorted lightly.

"In this era of war, it is not so easy to become a Jonin. If it were five years ago, you might be able to do some military exploits. But we were still in the ninja school at that time, so it was too late. .”

Yamazaki Ku could see clearly.

The situation in various countries is now stable. Although there are occasional frictions, they are basically restrained.

This also resulted in the fact that if today's ninjas want to be promoted, unless they are talented, the rest can only continue to pass the qualifications, accumulate merits, and be promoted step by step.

Exceptional promotions like those in war years are difficult to happen in peacetime.

Not only the country of ghosts, but also ninjas from other countries are basically like this.

"So, as long as I can become a Jonin before I'm thirty, I'll be satisfied."

Speaking of this, Yamazaki Jiu also flashed a look of yearning in his eyes.

As a result, after he finished saying this, Xianglin fell into silence.

"Why don't you say anything? Are you scared by my ambition?"

Yamazaki asked.

"No, I'm just shocked that you are optimistic that you can still become a jounin in this life. Generally speaking, being a chunin or a special jounin is the end of your life."

Hearing Xiang Rin's merciless words, the corner of Yamazaki Jiu's mouth twitched.

"I'm really sorry. I can neither learn secret techniques nor have blood inheritance limits. The only thing I can do is operate ninja tools."

He also knew very well that with his level, wanting to become a Jonin was a wishful thinking.

What jounin doesn't have his own special skills? And his unique skills are basically based on foreign objects like ninja tools.

"You really make excuses for yourself. So don't play with your ninja tools at ordinary times. If you want to become a jounin, you have to work harder on taijutsu and ninjutsu. Your close-quarters tactics are too dangerous. In chunin During the exam, you almost killed yourself, and when you met a powerful ninja, there was no room for your explosive tactics to be used, except to die together."

Faced with Xiang Rin's lengthy sermon, Yamazaki Jiu just hummed, neither refuting nor acknowledging it.

He also knew that once he lost his air superiority and had to fight the enemy on land, his own tactical flaws would likely be caught and exploited by a powerful enemy, becoming the best tool for suicide.

But if you want to make your attacks more lethal, taking risks is essential.

Xianglin said these words probably because he was dissatisfied and resentful because he finally used her as a backup battery for his flying ninja equipment.

"You two, please be quiet. It's time to pick up the pace next."

Finally, Cai made the final decision and ended the conversation between the two.

Xiang Rin and Yamazaki Jiu had no choice but to shut up and follow Ai in silence.

◎

"...Hokage-sama, this is the whole process of what happened at that time."

In the Hokage's office, Jiraiya and Tenzo appeared here, and Tenzo stated the entire process to Tsunade.

From Naruto's disappearance to the pursuit, in order to rescue Naruto, Sai was severely wounded by the Four Elephants of the Takumi Ninja Village, and almost had a conflict with the ninjas of the Demon Country... In the end, he took a step back, allowing both parties to leave peacefully.

Although Tenzo's narration was very plain, Tsunade still heard many sinister things from it.

I won't go into details about the consequences of Naruto's disappearance, but once there is a conflict with the Kingdom of Ghosts, it will also have very serious consequences.

Fortunately, there was no conflict in the end, otherwise, as the Hokage, Tsunade would not be able to sit here peacefully, but would go to hold an emergency high-level meeting.

"Tianzang, you handled this matter well. At that time, if you can avoid conflict, try to avoid conflict as much as possible. Just bring Naruto back. The rest of the problems are secondary."

Naruto's importance to Konoha is self-evident. Compared with dealing with the issue of belonging to the Four Elephants, this is the most important thing.

If something happened to Naruto, even if the Four Elephants who stole Naruto were brought back, the matter would become meaningless.

"However, you have to bear most of the responsibility for Naruto's disappearance."

Tsunade changed the topic, her tone became stern, and her sharp eyes were pointed at both sides of Tenzo.

Seemingly feeling Tsunade's sharp gaze, Tenzo couldn't help but lower his head and said in a ashamed tone: "Yes, Hokage-sama, I have nothing to shirk from my responsibility for dereliction of duty regarding Naruto being taken away. No matter it is I can accept any punishment."

As the leading Jonin of Team 7 and an important person in protecting Naruto, he allowed Naruto to be forcibly abducted by a group of lawless elements. This was indeed a huge dereliction of duty. No matter what excuses are used to evade, it is difficult to completely clean up.

"Your punishment will come soon, but you don't have to worry, it won't be too serious. After all, your role to Naruto is irreplaceable. But after this incident, I feel that the punishment placed next to Naruto The protective power is still insufficient. It is enough for this kind of thing to happen once, and it will never be allowed to happen a second time."

Although Naruto had been kidnapped once in the Land of Waves in the past, it was deliberately arranged by Konoha and was just a 'training' close to actual combat.

And this time Naruto was forcibly abducted by the Four Elephants, it was not actual combat training, but a real abduction incident.

If the Four Elephants succeeded in getting it, the consequences would be disastrous.

Thinking of this, Tsunade believed that the power around Naruto needed to be further strengthened.

Because of the presence of Kakashi, the protective force around Naruto can be appropriately reduced.

However... Tenzo is not Kakashi after all. He cannot replace Kakashi and is qualified for this task with his own strength.

Since the quality is not good, then the quantity will come up.

But as for how many ANBU teams should be assigned to Naruto's side, that remains to be discussed.

The Anbu is directly under the Hokage. Although Naruto is very important to Konoha, it is impossible for the Anbu to focus most of its energy on him, otherwise Konoha, a huge ninja village, will not be able to operate.

"Jiraiya, do you have any good suggestions?"

Tsunade looked at Jiraiya who was silent.

Jiraiya pondered for a moment and responded to Tsunade: "My opinion is that instead of focusing on the power next to Naruto, it is better to make Naruto himself as powerful as possible."

"It's easy to say. Unless he can master the power of the Nine-Tails immediately, he can only grow step by step."

Compared with strengthening the power of the guards around you, it is far less important to strengthen yourself. Of course, Tsunade understands this kind of thing.

However, what Naruto lacks now is time.

Arranging guards around him is also to allow him time to grow up and prevent accidents from happening in the process.

"What I mean is that Naruto has many advantages as a ninja, but there are also many shortcomings. Especially in terms of alertness, with frontal strength, it is impossible for the Shitensi people to catch Naruto. However, , they were able to subdue Naruto through sneak attacks. This is Naruto's flaw. He is too poorly alert to the outside world, and it is difficult to defend against sudden sneak attacks."

Jiraiya explained.

"Do you mean to train Naruto in this area?"

"Well, that's more or less the case. After all, with Naruto's current strength, it would be difficult for an average Jonin to defeat him in a short period of time from the front."

If Naruto accidentally bursts out the Nine-Tails Chakra during the process, then it will be the Jonin who escapes.

Tsunade thought for a moment and gave Tenzo the order:

"Tianzang, you are responsible for arranging training in this area. You should also supervise Naruto's training more usually."

"So, the mission..."

"Well...I have given you an S-level mission for Team 7, which is to fully assist Naruto in completing the raid training and improve his alertness. The period is one month. No restrictions on means. After one month, I must see Results. As for the activity funds required for the mission, Jiraiya, I leave this matter to you."

Tsunade gave such a mission.

But it is more of an enforced order than a task.

"Wait a minute, why am I paying for the activity? Shouldn't this money come from the village?"

Jiraiya, who had suffered the disaster, looked at Tsunade dumbfounded.

"Do you have any objections? I haven't settled the matter with you last time, and the novels you wrote have made a lot of money recently. For you, these mission funds are just a drop in the bucket. Now it's up to you to It’s time for the village to contribute.”

"...Okay, I'll just agree."

Jiraiya silently agreed.

"Don't feel like you are at a loss. You don't have any heirs anyway. The money you save in the bank will belong to the village when you go there. It's just an advance now, and you won't go out with this little money in the future. You can save yourself from fooling around a few times."

"That's not fooling around, I'm there to collect important information!"

When he heard Tsunade say that he was going to Fugetsu Place to fool around, Jiraiya suddenly turned red and retorted, loudly proving that he was there to collect information.

However, when I said this, I felt a little less confident.

Because it is true to go there to collect information, but it is also true to go there to enjoy the attentive service of the waitresses.

After all, as a well-known best-selling author in the ninja world, if you want to write words that move readers, you must combine knowledge with action.

That is a practice that can be called the truth, and it is not just for lustful things.

Especially in front of Tsunade, he didn't want to admit it.

"Who knows." Tsunade looked at Tenzo, "Tenzo, you go down first. In the next month, your seventh team will not have any missions. Regarding the new escort team, I still need to think about it for the time being. that's all."

"Yes, I'll take my leave now, Hokage-sama."

Tianzang nodded, turned and left.

"Have you found the reason why the Four Elephants kidnapped Naruto?"

Tsunade asked Jiraiya after Tenzo left.

The expression on Jiraiya's face was solemn, and he nodded: "The investigation revealed that they want to use the power of the nine tails in Naruto to obtain powerful chakra, and then use the ninja tools in their hands to kill the founder of the Takumi Ninja Village. Resurrection to achieve the goal of dominating the ninja world."

"...Thinking of dominating the ninja world even with that kind of thing is a bunch of fantasy-loving guys."

Tsunade stood up from her seat, walked to the window, looked out the window at the street scene at dusk, and sighed quietly.

Even so, it also shows that the contradiction between big countries and small countries is so deep-rooted.

After all, strictly speaking, it was not the Kingdom of Demons that forced the Takumi Ninja Village into this situation.

The Kingdom of Oni just happened to be the last straw for the Takunin Village.

It was the former five major countries that really forced the Artisan Ninja Village and caused the Shitenxiang people to make this decision.

The Craftsman Ninja Village, which produces fine ninja tools for the ninja villages of various countries, was forced by Konoha and other ninja villages in the past and was not allowed to sell ninja tools to other ninja villages, otherwise sanctions would be imposed.

However, as a ninja village in a small country, how could it be qualified to resist? Because this is joint pressure from the ninja villages of the five major countries, selling to one of them will definitely offend the other. But no matter which side's anger, Takunin Village can't bear it.

Therefore, the outcome of the Takumi Ninja Village, which was forced into the dispute between the Ninja Villages of the great powers, was predictable.

The exquisite ninja tools they created were purchased in large quantities at cheap prices by various ninja villages for violating contracts.

Food and clothing for the villagers in Jiangren Village later became a problem, and many villagers were forced to leave and look for opportunities to survive elsewhere.

Therefore, radical elements such as the Shitenxiang people with extreme hatred and hostility to great powers were finally born in Takumi Village.

"Don't worry, Tsunade, everything will be fine. Soon, both big and small countries will usher in true peace."

Jiraiya followed Tsunade and looked out the window at the street scene. The people busy in the dusk were so ordinary and cute.

As long as the children of the prophecy are cultivated, such a peaceful and peaceful scene will eventually come true one by one, whether it is a big country or a small country.

All injustice, war, and suffering in this world will be eliminated by the Son of Prophecy.