Konoha: I, Uchiha, am brimming with positive energy

Chapter 76 Submitting the Task

The information about Scorpion obtained from the underground gold exchange was limited to news of his appearances in the Land of Hot Springs and the Land of Craftsmen.

Although the Sand Village is also searching for Sasori, the missing person, compared to the Third Kazekage, Sasori, this genius puppeteer, is not that important.

After obtaining the intelligence, Uchiha Yoichi set off for the Land of Rivers.

Meanwhile, in the River Country, the negotiations were also coming to an end.

Because the new daimyo of the Land of Rivers favored the Land of Fire, and Konoha Village only targeted Sunagakure and not Amegakure, Konoha and Amegakure almost sided with each other in the three-way negotiations.

After the latest round of negotiations, Jiraiya and Shikaku Nara achieved a significant victory.

"Shikaku, now even Amegakure is on our side. Yesterday, Minister Yoshihiro hoped that we could be tougher and kick Sunagakure out, so that the three of us could form an alliance."

Jiraiya told Nara Shikaku that he wasn't very good at negotiating and that he sat there every day purely to provide support for Konoha.

He survived his fight with Hanzo and earned the title of one of the Legendary Sannin. He went on to complete many missions and become famous in the ninja world. He was a powerful figure in his own right, able to intimidate the Sand Village without even needing to speak during negotiations.

"Minister Jia Kang told me that if we could secure the share of Sunagakure, the Daimyo's government would be willing to provide an additional 100 million ryo in financial support to Konoha."

Although the share of the Land of Wind and the Sand Village was reduced a lot in the previous negotiations, they can still earn four or five hundred million ryo from the Cloud River Iron Mine every year. If the Land of Fire could also swallow this part, giving one hundred million ryo to Konoha would not be a big deal.

"Lord Jiraiya, 100 million ryo is a lot, but Sunagakure probably won't give it up. The only way to get them to completely abandon their position is to wage war!"

After pondering for a moment, Nara Shikaku slowly shook his head and said, "We've already gained a huge advantage. If we were to completely eliminate Sunagakure, I'm afraid the first to object would be Amegakure. After all, Hanzo isn't stupid. If only Amegakure and Konoha remain, Hanzo will definitely worry that they'll be next."

This proposal is out of the question; the village would never agree to it. Their mission is to help the Land of Fire gain as much benefit as possible, not to stake their entire fortune on making money for the Daimyo.

"Is that so? Then it seems that this is already the limit."

Jiraiya said with some regret, "The Sand Village seems even more anxious than we are. Shikaku, the Third Kazekage hasn't shown up yet. What kind of conspiracy do you think the Sand Village is plotting?"

The Nara clan has always been the village's strategist. During the Second Shinobi World War, the Nara clan helped Konoha devise strategies and achieved many victories.

Although Nara Shikaku is not yet twenty years old, he is already as intelligent as his father, as Nara Shikasuke himself said.

"Lord Jiraiya, I don't know either. There's too little information. Has the reconnaissance team replied yet?"

Jiraiya shook his head and said, "There was a reply, but we didn't get anything. One of the squads has lost contact, and I've already sent the Anbu to provide support. Now I'm worried that the Third Kazekage is up to something, and we have no way to deal with it."

Nara Shikaku pressed, "Lord Jiraiya, what about that Chunin from the Uchiha clan? Hasn't he sent any news back?"

"The other mission teams didn't get anything, how could he? Besides, Uchiha Yoichi hasn't contacted the Anbu, I don't even know where he is now."

Jiraiya had just finished speaking when someone knocked on the door.

After receiving permission, the ninja entered and immediately said to Jiraiya, "Lord Jiraiya, Chunin Uchiha Yoichi has returned. He says he has completed his mission."

"What?"

Nara Shikaku and Jiraiya looked surprised upon hearing this, and after exchanging a glance, they both felt it was unbelievable.

The mission was to gather information about the Third Kazekage. I had given up hope, but Uchiha Yoichi actually completed the mission.

"Let's go take a look."

The two immediately set off and left the house.

Upon entering the hall, Jiraiya saw Uchiha Yoichi drinking water and anxiously asked, "Uchiha Yoichi, have you gathered information about the Third Kazekage?"

"Um, is it convenient to talk here?"

Jiraiya glanced at Nara Shikaku, who then said, "There's no problem here, Chunin Yoichi, please get straight to the point."

Uchiha Yang nodded, then said, "The Third Kazekage is dead. The murderer is very likely Sasori, the genius puppeteer from Sunagakure."

"Dead, dead!?"

Jiraiya and Shikaku Nara froze upon hearing the news. Thinking they must have misheard, they quickly asked, "Yoichi Chunin, did you just say the Third Kazekage is dead?"

"Yes, he's dead now!"

"The culprit... is it Sasori, the genius puppeteer from Sunagakure?"

Uchiha Yoichi shook his head and said, "It's just a possibility. Sasori has most likely defected now. This is just my guess, but the news of the Third Kazekage's death is certain."

Jiraiya frowned and asked, "How was this information gathered? How can you confirm that the Third Kazekage is truly dead?"

"The Third Kazekage used to have a large red serpent summoning beast named Shinya. Shinya was a serpent that came from Ryuchi Cave. Later, the Third Kazekage betrayed and used Shinya to create a false record for himself. After that, Shinya never appeared by the Third Kazekage's side again."

Uchiha Yang paused for a moment, then continued, "Although Shinja was betrayed and used by the Third Kazekage, the summoning contract between the two was not broken. Some time ago, I found Ryuchi Cave and, before subduing Shinja, had it use the Reverse Summoning Technique to summon the Third Kazekage, but there was no response."

No response means the person who summoned the spirit is dead. Otherwise, reverse summoning techniques are generally impossible to refuse. Even if the summoning can be refused, the person who summoned the spirit will know it, and Jiraiya knows this best.

"Now that you mention it, I do recall that before becoming the Third Kazekage, he did seem to have a giant snake summoning beast, but I don't know if it came from Ryuchi Cave. Uchiha kid, so you've been to Ryuchi Cave for the past month?"

Jiraiya stroked his chin and asked.

Uchiha Yoichi took out a scroll and said, "Not only that, I also investigated Sasori's whereabouts. The Sand Village is also looking for him now. However, compared to the Third Kazekage, although Sasori is a genius puppeteer and Chiyo's grandson, he is still somewhat insignificant."

"I see, I understand."

Jiraiya took the scroll and solemnly said to Uchiha Yoichi, "I will confirm with the village. If necessary, your summoning beast may also be needed. Once the information is confirmed, you will have done a great service."

Brothers, please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)