Naruto: Who made him a ninja

Chapter 85 Ambush (Two chapters, 1.2 words)

Days spent focused on research, just like days spent slacking off, always seem to pass in the blink of an eye.

Early in the morning, Xiuze and Xiyan got ready and headed out to the Anbu.

Since they lived together, they basically went out together, which made their relationship even better.

The only pity is that the Senju clan's ancestral home is too big, with too many rooms.

"And I'm also a little young."

With a touch of melancholy in their hearts, they arrived quickly. However, to their surprise, a new member had joined the Dark Guard today.

"Uchiha Itachi?"

Yugao looked at Uchiha Itachi with some surprise; she seemed not to have expected the eldest son of the Uchiha clan to be here.

Hidezawa, on the other hand, seemed quite calm. How could Itachi, the Anbu, have killed his entire family?

"Xiuze, you've arrived."

Zhi Shui walked over with a smile, pulling his younger brother along, which could be considered a way of paying respects.

"I don't think he needs an introduction, since you two are old acquaintances."

"Hello, senior. I have always wanted to thank you for saving my life, but I have never had the chance."

Itachi Uchiha appeared very enthusiastic, but his lips twitched slightly as he spoke.

He had heard many things that happened that night. To be honest, he had been thinking about one question: what would Hidezawa have done if Obito Uchiha hadn't appeared?

After much deliberation, he figured that this senior member of the Dark Division would most likely strangle him to death and then dump his body in the wilderness to clear his name.

"Time flies, kid. I never thought that you, who participated in the Chunin Exams back then, would become my colleague now."

Without hesitation, Xiuze put on airs and patted Uchiha Itachi on the shoulder in an encouraging manner for a junior, which made Uchiha Itachi's mouth twitch even more violently.

"Speaking of which, I might know something about who you're with."

"It's Captain Kakashi."

Uchiha Itachi forced a smile and replied, and Hidezawa immediately sighed.

"Captain Kakashi, he's a good captain, but I've heard he's always late, and his mood fluctuates a lot because of Obito Uchiha, so..."

"Hey, Xiuze, isn't it a bit much to talk badly about people behind their backs?"

Just then, Kakashi walked over with Tenzo, and the eye that was exposed involuntarily rolled into a dead fish-like expression.

"Also, I've calmed down now, and it's not as bad as you make it out to be. Didn't you already see it when you were living and training at the Anbu headquarters?"

Perhaps they've accepted reality, or perhaps they've already formed their own ideas.

Kakashi's emotions don't change that much. They got along well when they were studying together in the Anbu, but that didn't stop Hidezawa from teasing Kakashi.

"Xiuze, good morning."

Tianzang was quite honest; he smiled and nodded slightly to Xiuzhe.

Since Shusawa activated Wood Release, his attitude towards Shusawa has become much better.

They all came from the Root, and now everyone knows Wood Release. Even if he acquired it through experiments, he and Shusawa are still the same kind of people no matter how you look at it.

"morning."

Xiuzawa nodded to Tianzang, and only then did Kakashi speak.

"Alright, now that the newcomers have met, Xiuze, your team and I will go see the Hokage together."

"well?"

Hidezawa and Yugao looked at Kakashi with suspicion, and Shisui also looked a little strange. Fortunately, Kakashi didn't keep them in suspense and spoke directly.

"It seems there's a mission that requires both of our teams to work together, so let's go."

Is it a mission?

Xiuze blinked. He thought he would continue patrolling and slacking off in Konoha for a while longer, but he didn't expect the mission to come so quickly.

Inside the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was somewhat solemn.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who were standing to the side, remained silent, while Danzo seemed rather agitated.

"This is clearly a conspiracy. It's obviously Kumogakure deliberately trying to disgust people, and Iwagakure is planning to use this opportunity to do something!"

"We can all see it, but this matter definitely needs to be investigated."

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt somewhat helpless. In truth, he really didn't want to get involved in this matter; anyone could see that there was something wrong with it.

But Konoha had no choice but to accept it, just like the Fourth Raikage was caught in a conspiracy.

Whether it's the Uzumaki or the Senju, Konoha has to react!

If it's the Senju clan, then it concerns the Senju clan's situation. They just brought Tsunade back, and there's also Hidezawa in the village who knows Wood Release.

As for the Uzumaki clan, it would be best for Konoha to make an initial statement, since the Uzumaki clan has been wiped out and its members have scattered and fled.

Konoha was once an ally of Uzumaki, and it also has ties with the Uzumaki and Senju clans. If we leave it unattended, how will others view Konoha in the future?

It's like striking a snake at its vital point—a direct hit to Konoha.

"Just ignore it, why bother with all that!"

Danzo snorted coldly. Although he was also curious, he didn't want anything to go wrong. He had long considered the Wood Release and the Mangekyou Sharingan to be his own.

"Danzo, none of us want to get involved, but Onoki has already spread the news."

Koharu, who was also looking a bit troubled, spoke up, and Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement.

"It is understood that Huang Tu may go there in person, and if we do not take action, the situation will not look good."

Huang Tu has taken action himself, which clearly shows that Onoki is interested in this matter. If Onoki really gains the upper hand, Konoha will lose face.

This can be seen as a kind of power struggle between villages, and sometimes there's really nothing anyone can do about it.

dong dong dong...

Just as Danzo was about to say something more, there was a knock on the Hokage's office door.

A moment later, Kakashi walked in with Shusawa and the others. Seeing that all four of the "Konoha Giants" were present, and that their expressions were not very good, Kakashi was surprised.

Xiuze and the others immediately realized that something big was probably going to happen again!

"You've arrived?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded to Kakashi and Shusawa, and without hiding anything, he recounted the events in the Land of Grass.

"The situation is rather serious. Konoha must verify this matter no matter what, so I plan to have your two teams go together. Can you manage that?"

"We understand, Hokage-sama."

Kakashi and the others immediately spoke up, with Hidezawa also among them, though his expression was somewhat strange for a moment.

The Fourth Raikage was messed with by him. Although he said he was fine, he must have been thinking about revenge. This was something that was expected.

But what's going on here? Could it be that the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, is a genius?

Although he deliberately wanted to disgust Konoha and had some thoughts about them, it's really outrageous that he guessed it so accurately!

"So this time, what we'll be facing is the yellow earth, or..."

Hidezawa would never believe that Onoki would let his son put himself in such a dangerous situation; he would definitely make some other arrangements.

For example, hiring some people to specifically cause trouble?

"The Akatsuki organization, or other mercenary ninja organizations."

The Third Tsuchikage employed some ninja organizations and assisted him in doing things that were difficult to do, which was not a big secret in the ninja world.

The most likely candidate is the Akatsuki organization, after all, these people are indeed very strong!

"Then you may go and prepare."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement with everyone's response. He glanced at Danzo, thought for a moment, and then continued speaking.

"However, this mission is very complicated, and I will mobilize the border troops near the Grass Country to assist you."

At the same time, we will secretly mobilize the Anbu and some Root ninjas to cooperate with you.

Danzo, is everything alright?

"Um."

Danzo didn't want to agree, but he had no choice but to agree now.

After all, he didn't want these powers to really benefit that damned old man, Onoki; that would be too much of a loss!

After giving a brief explanation, they left the Hokage's office.

That's how the secret service works; they're basically ready to go at any time when there's a mission, and this time the situation isn't looking good, so they plan to take direct action.

"I didn't expect another troublesome task."

Xiuze put on the mask, then sighed and looked at Uchiha Itachi with amusement.

"You're in luck, kid. You've only just joined the Anbu and you already have a mission like this. Be careful, don't die."

"I will be careful."

Uchiha Itachi silently put on his mask as well. He really wanted to retort, "You're not that much older than me, are you?"

He himself never expected that he would encounter such a mission on his very first day working in the Dark Division.

Joining the Dark Division was something he longed for, since it would allow him to do more things.

However, after he participated in the assessment and passed it, his father found him and had a good talk with him.

Simply put, his father hoped that he could use this opportunity to inform the clan about some of the current developments in the village!

The Anbu are the Hokage's private bodyguards, and they have access to information that is difficult for ordinary people to obtain.

Having this identity can provide the Uchiha clan with more advantages!

Uchiha Itachi was unwilling to do this, and he had long been reflecting on the clan members' constant use of the word "clan".

However, due to his father's request, he had no choice but to agree.

"What happened to the village and the family?"

Itachi Uchiha didn't quite understand, but he wouldn't ask his father. He preferred to observe and consider these things himself.

Finally, he arrives at his own answer and acts accordingly; this is what his father taught him.

"Alright, don't make things difficult for him. Anyway, with Kakashi-senpai teaching him, I believe he'll adapt quickly."

Zhi Shui offered a word of advice from the side; he still had a lot of confidence in his little brother.

"Yeah, Xiuze, we were actually quite clumsy when we carried out our first mission."

Tianzang chuckled and remarked from the side.

"I heard from my former Root colleagues that you always hid in the back during your first mission, and although you were pretty much the same later on, but..."

"That's all nonsense!"

Xiuze was immediately annoyed, even though it was indeed him.

Back then, he thought it was better to slack off than work for Danzo, so he always stayed behind the crowd, but that was all in the past.

"I was observing the battle situation; if you don't understand, don't speak carelessly!"

"oh oh."

Tianzang nodded; he didn't want to upset Xiuzhe.

"Alright, let's get ready to go. The Land of Grass isn't far anyway."

Kakashi quickly tried to smooth things over.

"I never imagined I'd actually be back in the Land of Grass."

"Does Kakashi-senpai seem to miss that place?"

Xiuze looked up and glanced at Kakashi curiously.

"But Obito Uchiha isn't dead, is he?"

"."

Kakashi was getting a little tired of talking. Why did this kid always say things he didn't want to hear?

Obito did not die, but the Obito of the past has truly been buried there.

Obito Uchiha has now completely become a soulless monster, filled with rage that he wants to unleash at will.

However, Kakashi still harbored some hope. He wanted to bring Obito back no matter what, even if Obito's fate might not be pleasant upon returning to Konoha.

But that was also a redemption for the sins he had committed. He truly hoped that Obito could recover instead of continuing to wander like a demon.

"You might not understand this problem if I explain it to you, and of course I hope you never encounter it in your life, as it is a very painful thing."

Kakashi sighed. He didn't want to explain further. Shuzawa glanced at him but didn't say anything more.

The latest novel is first published here!

He truly didn't understand such pain, but he'd seen this kind of thing quite often!

Hashirama Senju versus Madara Uchiha.

Jiraiya versus Orochimaru.

And Naruto Uzumaki versus Sasuke Uchiha

That's not surprising at all!

The only difference now is that there's an additional subplot involving Kakashi and Obito Uchiha, which he can understand and see clearly.

After they were ready, the group of six set off.

As for how many more were behind them, that was none of their concern for the time being; they chatted and laughed along the way.

Moreover, the Land of Fire is relatively peaceful. Even if you encounter some wandering ninjas and samurai, everyone is quite law-abiding.

However, a few days later, when they left Konoha and entered the Land of Grass, the situation seemed to have changed slightly.

Bandits are everywhere, and robbery, murder, and theft are not uncommon in the Land of Grass.

"Why is this place so messy?"

Although Itachi Uchiha had been to the Land of Grass when he was a child, it was the first time his good father took him to the battlefield to face Iwagakure. But it didn't seem as chaotic as it is now.

"Actually, this is pretty much the case in every small country."

Kakashi glanced around, then shook his head.

"Ignore them, let's focus on our own task."

"But why is this happening?"

Xi Yan couldn't help but speak up. Although she had seen this kind of thing many times before, she still had some doubts in her heart.

"Idiot, what will we do without them?"

Xiuze shrugged helplessly to the side.

"Small countries are basically vassals of the big country's ninja villages. All they can do is provide us with enough mission quotas."

The reason these bandits and robbers haven't been eliminated is simple: they can't be eliminated.

"Can't be cleaned up?"

Tenzo was also somewhat confused. In Root, he was only responsible for killing people; Danzo hadn't taught him anything else.

"More or less."

Kakashi was also helpless when he saw that Hidezawa had started.

He really didn't want to say anything, but since he had already been asked to, he could only try his best to explain.

"The village needs revenue, but it's best if we don't have these bandits in our own country."

Smaller nations need to provide mission quotas, so these bandits have no choice but to stay and have their inhabitants distribute them to us as missions.

"At the same time, the clearing work also helps us compete with other villages and build our reputation and prestige."

Xiuze smiled at Xiyan, and continued speaking, picking up where Kakashi left off.

"Furthermore, the village needs these bandits to provide experience for the young ninjas, so it's impossible for these bandits to be wiped out."

"is that so."

Xi Yan felt a little upset after hearing this explanation; she never expected things to turn out this way!

Itachi Uchiha was also a little confused. He wouldn't ask questions but would just think about it himself, though he would also listen to what others had to say.

The village would actually do something like this?

"Don't be so sad, Yugao."

Xiuze didn't care what Uchiha Itachi thought; he squeezed Xiyan's small hand and smiled.

"If you think about it carefully, why would these bandits appear?"

In reality, it's not just those powerful figures and nobles who are frantically exploiting their subjects within their own small territories.

These people only became bandits because they survived; otherwise, aside from a few truly ruthless individuals, who would do such a thing if they could live?

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore!"

Kakashi couldn't hold back any longer; having a teammate with such keen insight and intelligence wasn't a good thing either.

Especially since this guy is so outspoken and dares to say anything, is that something they, as ninjas, are allowed to say?

Besides, what business is it of theirs what others do? They themselves earn a considerable amount of money by relying on the mission quotas provided by these bandits.

Even if they harbored resentment, this was the only way for small countries to survive in the ninja world, and no one could change it.

"Let's focus on our own mission; there are some things that are beyond our control."

"Yes"

Perhaps the topic was too heavy, because apart from Kakashi and Shusawa, the others didn't seem to be in a high mood.

This made Kakashi glare at Hidezawa, but he quickly realized something.

"It seems that Shusawa was taught by Danzo from a young age. Could it be that Danzo taught him all of this?"

Kakashi's expression was somewhat strange; this seemed quite different from Tenzo.

But it seems that only this can explain why Xiuze sees these messy things so clearly.

"This Hokage's assistant is really something."

Kakashi shook his head. He had never thought Danzo was a good person, whether it was for tricking him into assassinating the Third Hokage or for conducting human experiments.

And as he grew older and gained more experience, he heard about his father.

"Um?"

As they walked, Kakashi suddenly seemed to sense something and stopped abruptly.

Tianzang asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"There seems to be something going on."

Kakashi quickly scanned his surroundings while simultaneously sniffing the air.

His sense of smell was in no way inferior to that of the Inuzuka clan; during the Third Shinobi World War, he relied on his sense of smell to detect the enemy ahead of time on several occasions.

Xiuze also noticed something at this moment. His senses spread out instantly, and his expression changed slightly.

"Watch out, there's an ambush!"

boom--

boom--

boom--

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of violent explosions erupted all around them, and the flames from the explosions instantly swept towards them.

"Water Release·Water Formation Wall!"

Shuzawa and Kakashi formed hand seals almost simultaneously, and in an instant, two walls of water rose from the ground!

The surging heatwave collided with the turbulent water walls, instantly creating a huge cloud of water vapor.

Just then, they suddenly felt a tremor beneath their feet. Xiuze glanced at it, then grabbed Xiyan and jumped up.

"Watch your step!"

Before he finished speaking, countless sharp earth spikes surged from the ground and shot towards the four of them.

With Xiuze's warning, everyone quickly jumped away, avoiding the attack of the earthen spears beneath their feet.

"It seems we have quite a lot of people welcoming us."

Xiuze glanced around, and despite the thick fog, he still managed to lock onto the enemy!

"So your name is Shihara Hidezawa, kid."

Suddenly, a hurricane swept across the sky, blowing away the thick mist, and Scorpion's voice rang out along with the wind.

In the instant the fog dissipated, Xiuze and the others saw the sky full of puppets, and Sasori on the ground who was controlling the Third Kazekage's puppet!

The Third Kazekage's puppet was surrounded by black, and Sasori's gaze was somewhat gloomy.

"I've been looking for you for so long!"

"So these are the brats? That's quite unexpected."

On the other side, a man with beady eyes and wearing a black robe with red clouds also came out.

He glanced at Xiuze and the others before speaking softly.

"I heard that some of you have the Mangekyou Sharingan, and some know both Wood Release and Flying Thunder God Technique."

I'm really curious to see what level you guys can reach!

"This is troublesome."

When Kakashi saw the two of them like this, he immediately knew that the situation was not good.

Hiruzen Sarutobi warned them about the troublesome nature of this mission when they set off, but he never expected it to be this troublesome!

Konoha has already obtained information about Sasori, since Hidezawa and the others didn't hide anything. This guy's puppetry skills seem to be even more extreme than the intelligence reports suggested.

As for the other one, Kakashi seemed to remember that this guy's name was Kakuzu, and he was a bounty hunter.

I don't know much else, because this guy is a legend; none of his targets survive!

This resulted in a lack of information about him; all that was known was that he was powerful enough, but that was all.

Kakashi really didn't want to fight these two. They had the advantage in numbers, but when facing truly strong opponents, numbers sometimes don't matter at all.

"So it was you, my defeated foe."

Before Kakashi could even speak, Shuzawa spoke up from the side.

"We should thank you for your hospitality last time. If it weren't for you, our mission wouldn't have gone so smoothly, and we wouldn't have been able to escape so easily."

Kakashi stared at Shuzawa in disbelief. "You're not satisfied unless you stir up trouble, are you?"

As expected, Scorpion, who was already somewhat envious upon seeing Xiuze and the others, couldn't hold back any longer.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly laughed.

"It was indeed my mistake last time, so this time..."

With a slight twitch of his finger, the countless puppets instantly came to life!

Countless hidden weapons, shuriken, and other ninja tools came at Hidezawa and his group as if they were free, and Sasori's voice rang out once again.

"I will definitely send you all to your deaths!"

(End of this chapter)