Born in Sunagakure, dedicated to antagonizing Konoha for decades

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's headache, Koharu Utatane interrupted his thoughts and reminded him that while Shiki was indeed strong, the experts in Konoha were not much weaker. Even if they couldn't defeat him in a one-on-one fight, could they not gang up on him? Moreover, Sunagakure was much weaker than Konoha. Unless he became as powerful as the First Hokage, the most important threat right now was that unknown organization targeting the Tailed Beasts.

Koharu Utatane suspected almost all three major ninja villages except Iwagakure. Coincidentally, she didn't suspect Iwagakure, since everyone knew that the powerful Kakuzu had caused a major upheaval and destroyed most of the village. Onoki was busy making money to rebuild the village and didn't have the mind to fight the tailed beasts. Besides, they hadn't even found their Four-Tails Jinchuriki yet. They would have preferred to find their own Four-Tails Jinchuriki instead.

Therefore, Koharu Utatane directly ruled out the possibility of Iwagakure.

So, the remaining three villages—Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure—are all possibilities. In recent years, under the leadership of the Third Raikage, Kumogakure has indeed shown a trend of surpassing its peak, especially after their Eight-Tails rampage some time ago. The Raikage actually fought hand-to-hand for several days and managed to achieve a draw. This battle made the Raikage's reputation the highest among all the Third Kage. And because he fought the Eight-Tails to a draw, the Raikage became arrogant and wanted to take the Seven-Tails back and play with it. It's also possible that both the Eight-Tails will come at him. If the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha is male, he might even come to take down the Nine-Tails.

There is very little information about Kirigakure, but before his death, Lord Kima mentioned that the newly appointed Mizukage of Kirigakure was eyeing the Tailed Beasts. It was because of this that they encountered the Six-Tails shortly after arriving in the Land of Water and were bombarded by it. Therefore, it is very likely that Kirigakure felt that two Tailed Beasts were not enough for them to study, and that they wanted to take the Seven-Tails away from Takigakure, which was the weakest village.

As for Sunagakure, it goes without saying that every major event in the ninja world since Shiki's debut has been inextricably linked to Sunagakure. After all, with Shiki as a menace, even if one can't figure out why Sunagakure would write and direct this whole drama, Koharu Utatane still habitually includes Sunagakure in the mix.

Moreover, the appearance of this golden lion and Gong Liejie was such a coincidence!

Takigakure is the most secluded ninja village. Even their eldest brother hasn't known where their entrance is for so many years. In the entire Hidden Leaf Village, only their First Hokage knows. Even the Second Hokage doesn't know. Nothing has happened in all these decades. Yet, that kid just happened to get into trouble while passing by there. It's just too damn coincidental! And how did that kid even know the entrance to Takigakure?

They received instruction from second-generation teachers from a young age. Promising young people of the new era should believe in science and break free from feudal superstitions. Therefore, the saying that the Golden Lion is a scourge and a harbinger of misfortune should be taken with a grain of salt.

"Hiruzen, let me investigate. You've been working very hard lately, you need to rest."

Danzo finally couldn't hold back any longer. The thought of the Seven-Tails falling into his hands and being trained into his own super henchman made Danzo wish he could fly over immediately to make a deal with Shiki.

Although the list had more items and a larger quantity, he had tried every means to deduct a little from this and a little from that from the two young men in charge of logistics. In the end, he even "invited" an economic expert to help with the accounting before he finally got it sorted out. He had been busy and worked very hard, but now it was all worth it!

Now he feels that staying here for even a minute longer is too long.

So he looked at his best friend with an expression that said, "Let me share this burden with you."

"Alright, those people are dangerous, remember to bring plenty of men with you!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi really fell for Danzo's act; every time Danzo put on that caring look, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt incredibly touched.

Looking at Danzo's concerned eyes, it was as if he were back in his childhood. Whenever he got hurt, Danzo's mother was always the first to rush over and bandage him. And the concern in Danzo's mother's eyes back then was exactly the same as Danzo's now. Although he didn't understand why Danzo's mother was so emotional when he was injured...

.....

"Big brother, Mother wants us to bring the Seven-Tails back with us. Wouldn't it be a bad idea to sell it to Danzo now?"

In a small grove in the Land of Fire, where Danzo had arranged to meet, Sasori's father frowned and said, "My good boy has always listened to his mother since he was little, treating her words as sacred decrees. This is the first time he has disobeyed his mother, and he feels a little uneasy and excited at the same time."

"What's good or bad about it? Your mother and the others took the Seven-Tails back and sealed it away as a nuclear threat. To put it nicely, it's a nuclear threat to save face. We Sunagakure now have two tailed beasts. To put it bluntly, it's completely useless. We still have to support them every year. A nuclear threat that's completely useless is not as worthwhile as directly exchanging something substantial with Danzo. Don't think of the tailed beasts as so powerful or important. Look at the Four-Tails and the Seven-Tails. They're just bigger. They were still beaten to a pulp by me. Remember this: use no way as way, use the infinite as the finite. True strength comes from within. External things are just smoke and mirrors."

Sitting on the head of the giant beetle, he patted the handsome scorpion's father and said.

Below, the Seven-Tails, being used as a mount, secretly shed a thousand-year tear: If it weren't for your strong fists, I would have fucking beaten you up, you bastard! How dare you call me a dead dog....╥﹏╥.

134. Even the giant beetle was getting impatient.

"Danzo-san! You've finally arrived! This giant beetle has been waiting impatiently. If you hadn't come, it would have gone to Konoha to find you. You have no idea how happy it was when it heard that the new boss was a big tycoon, right, giant beetle?"

When he saw Danzo approaching from afar with his underlings and several large truckloads of supplies behind him, Shinto didn't mind that Danzo's hands were dirty. He enthusiastically grabbed Danzo's hand and kicked the head of the giant beetle lying on the ground, asking a question.

"Uh-huh....."

The giant beetle was quite cooperative; after seeing Masato's agreeable look, it immediately nodded obediently.

"hiss.....!"

Seeing the enormous tailed beast behaving like a dog in Shiki's hands, Danzo and his emotionless underlings secretly gasped. Danzo, in particular, felt it most keenly because he was so close to the Seven-Tails; its fierce aura was unmistakable. At the same time, he breathed a sigh of relief at his decision. He had originally planned a double-cross, since 25 billion bounty on supplies was just too much. However, considering Shiki's ability to make the Seven-Tails cry and his capacity to wreak havoc, his conscience ultimately prevailed. He figured it was better to proceed slowly and steadily, since the other party wasn't from Konoha and wouldn't affect him at all. It was better to endure the pain and conduct a normal transaction; who knows, there might be future collaborations.

Seeing the Seven-Tails so docile, like a dead dog, this decision was absolutely brilliant! If it were a double-cross, he really couldn't beat this Golden Lion, and besides, his best buddy wasn't one to fall for his tricks...

"What you need is right behind you. Take inventory and seal it now!"

After suppressing his shock, Danzo had several large trucks brought over by his underlings. He then gave orders to them.

While Shiki dared to take the Seven-Tails out for a stroll, Danzo wouldn't dare. If the Seven-Tails got angry, they wouldn't even be enough to fill its teeth. Therefore, Danzo had made preparations in advance. He selected a highly qualified, loyal young man from his "World Children's Foundation" who was willing to go through fire and water for him to serve as a Jinchūriki. Sealing the Tailed Beast was also part of the deal. With Shiki in charge, the safety factor was much higher during the sealing.

"No need for inventory. With your title as the chief advisor of Konoha, you wouldn't do something like shortchanging people. Jie, go check if the supplies are correct."

That's what they said, but Shinto still secretly gave Sasori's father a wink. Every disciple of Tobirama Senju is cunning and treacherous; even the Tailed Beast Sealing Technique is substandard. Stinging on supplies and mixing in counterfeit ones is just normal practice...

"Brother, the supplies are correct!"

Handsome Scorpion's father and Shinto have been out in the world for a long time and have seen a lot. They were still able to keep their composure in the face of such a huge amount of supplies. After counting the quantity, they nodded to Shinto.

"Commander Danzo is indeed generous! Now you can seal the Tailed Beast, and it's eager to return! This... young man, I can tell at a glance that he has exceptional talent. A ray of spiritual light is shooting out from the top of his head. He's simply a once-in-a-century genius. Danzo is really willing to let him be the Seven-Tails' father. I thought you would be the Seven-Tails' father yourself..."

Shinto almost burst out laughing when he saw the seven or eight-year-old boy beside Danzo, whose eyes were indifferent and showed no trace of human emotion. Tailed beasts are creatures that are extremely sensitive to emotions. To make a tool without any emotion their host is just asking for trouble. Even if Konoha's tailed beast sealing techniques are perfect, the boy's chakra reserves are average, and he clearly doesn't have the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan. Although the Seven-Tails isn't the Nine-Tails, it's still a chakra powerhouse. If it becomes violent under the influence of this boy, his simple and unassuming physique really won't be able to control it. If it causes a few riots in Konoha, that would be hilarious!

"...Seal it quickly."

Ignoring Shinto's teasing, Danzo said to his underlings who knew sealing techniques, "This is the Land of Fire, not too far from Konoha. To avoid any unforeseen problems and being discovered by our good buddies, we should finish this quickly."

The sealing process went exceptionally smoothly. As Konoha's chief advisor, Danzo could easily obtain the Tailed Beast Sealing Technique with a simple gesture. A little flirting with his best friend would be enough to get him not only the sealing technique but also the Book of Sealing. The Seven-Tails, eager to get away from the golden-haired devil, offered no resistance whatsoever and even seemed eager to burrow into the young man's stomach, leaving his subordinates completely bewildered. What kind of domestic violence had driven this proud Tailed Beast to such depravity that it willingly cooperated with the sealing?

"Lord Danzo, it's over."

"Okay, let's go..."

Danzo suppressed his excitement and glanced indifferently at the unconscious boy and the sealing runes on his stomach. If there weren't outsiders present, he would have loved to pounce on the boy and devour him!

Danzo Shimura finally possessed high-level combat power! Although it was only a small step, it was a giant leap forward for him! ヾ(^д^*)/

"It's a pleasure to do business with you then. If Danzo-san has any business next time, remember to include me. Tsunade has my contact information."

Shinto waved his hand at Danzo's back and shouted loudly.

"Big brother, why do I get the feeling you're gloating a little? Didn't they seal the Seven-Tails... (⊙_⊙)?"

Handsome Scorpion's father noticed something unusual in Shinto's smile and asked curiously.

"They sealed the Seven-Tails, that's true, but tailed beasts are extremely sensitive to emotions. Let me put it this way, if a normal kid were chosen as the Jinchūriki, Konoha's tailed beast sealing techniques would definitely be fine. The Seven-Tails is gentler than its brothers and a bit timid. If you slowly influence it with love and childlike innocence, it might even be able to live peacefully with the Seven-Tails in two or three years, and the Jinchūriki could borrow the Seven-Tails' power. But this idiot Shimura Danzo, in order to completely control the Jinchūriki, actually made a tool he had brainwashed into becoming the Jinchūriki. I can't see a single human emotion in that kid's eyes. At that point, forget about influencing the Seven-Tails with love and childlike innocence; it'll be a miracle if the Seven-Tails doesn't go berserk..."

"I'm so glad," Masato said gloatingly.

"Sog! When the Seven-Tails rampages in Konoha, even if it doesn't get mostly destroyed like Iwagakure, the losses will definitely be significant! But... now the whole ninja world knows that the Seven-Tails is in our hands. When the Seven-Tails rampages, will Konoha hold you responsible? You're the one who's been flirting with Konoha's little princess."

Handsome Scorpion's father's eyes lit up, but then he realized that if Konoha held his older brother responsible for this, his brother's road to winning over women would be quite long...

135. Only Tsunade and Nawaki from Konoha are worth this price.

"What the hell is this to me? We're doing legitimate business. I got the Seven-Tails through my own abilities, and Danzo bought the Tailed Beast from us using his resources. The riot was his fault for not controlling it properly. If anyone's to blame, it's Danzo for hiding a weapon. Let's go back now, or your mother will be waiting for us at the village entrance with a knife..."

Masato pursed his lips.

......

"They're here! They're here! They're here!"

At the entrance of Sunagakure Village, Sunagawa, Kaizo, and Chiyo were joined by a large group of Sunagakure's high-ranking officials. To welcome the Seven-Tails, who had just joined their family, Sunagawa and Kaizo made the scene extremely grand, almost like the Third Kazekage's solo concert!

Everyone in the village, from the heads of all departments to those who can, must come; those who can't, must come. No one in the village is allowed to take leave today. We must let the Seven-Tails feel the love of Sunagakure...

At this moment, Kaizo and Sunagawa were extremely excited, and even Chiyo, who hadn't seen her beloved son and nephew for a long time, was radiant with joy.

Especially Sunagawa, the Third Kazekage, was pacing around in front of everyone; anyone who didn't know better would think this single guy was about to have a son.

The thought that the village gained a tailed beast without any cost under his leadership, which boosted the village's armed forces, is truly remarkable. Although the main people in charge of this matter were Shinto and Kei, it was also inseparable from his wise leadership!

Even though he's still alive, he feels his historical status has already surpassed that of the Second and First Generation Lords, ensuring his lasting fame and the reverence of future generations...

"They're in the sky! Wow! Look at all that stuff! Did they raid some village? σ(⊙▽⊙a)"

At this moment, a high-ranking official with excellent eyesight saw a dense array of tiny black dots flying towards them from the horizon. When the camera zoomed in, the two people in front of them were none other than the village's top courtesan and the young master. However, when he saw the long line of supplies behind the two, his eyes widened in disbelief, and his heart pounded so hard that he quickly took a nitroglycerin pill.

"This... hiss... they've kidnapped the Senju clan princess again? (⊙_⊙)"

Chiyo, Kaizo, and Sunagawa all gasped in surprise. They didn't see any tailed beasts, but they were astonished by the sheer quantity of supplies, many of which were Konoha specialties, leaving the three of them dumbfounded.

"Huh? What are you guys doing? It's just going home, why are you making such a big fuss? (⊙_⊙)?"

When they landed at the village entrance, Masato and Sasori's dad saw a huge crowd waiting there, practically ready to hang banners and line the road to welcome them. The scene was a bit too grand!

"Where did you get these... things?"

The crowd was stunned by the sheer amount of supplies behind them and didn't answer. It was Chiyo, whose composure held up, who was the first to react. Such a large amount of supplies wouldn't make their village rich overnight, but at least it would allow their next generation to practice with kunai and shuriken instead of carrying around so many hands. Chiyo's eyes welled up with tears. Her child had become successful, knowing how to act on behalf of heaven and rob the rich to help the poor.

"I did a business deal with Shimura Danzo of Konoha. I didn't expect that although Shimura Danzo's character is not very good, he is quite honest. He has no real skills and no fakes."

Masato shrugged and said.

"Is that so! It seems you'll have to do business with him more often in the future. I didn't expect an advisor from Konoha to be able to provide so many supplies..."

After wiping the liquid from the corner of his mouth, Kaizo looked at Masato and Sasori's father with satisfaction, as if he had witnessed his son's rise to prominence. He had grown up and knew how to benefit the village after going out for a while.

"This kind of business is rare; there are hardly any in the ninja world. Getting one or two times is already considered good!"

Shindou stared speechlessly at Kaizo's greedy face.

"That's true. Even Danzo couldn't have come up with so many supplies easily. Let's talk about it later. By the way, where's the Seven-Tails? Let's release it."

Sunakawa nodded understandingly. Even if Konoha was wealthy, it would be difficult for Hiruzen Sarutobi to produce so many supplies at once. Shimura Danzo was just an advisor, and he had probably already reached his limit. However, Sunakawa was more concerned about the Seven-Tails. He stared intently at Shinto and Sasori's father, forcibly calming his excited heart.

These supplies are just a pleasant surprise; the real big surprise is yet to come. We can't reveal it too early and leave a bad impression on the Seven-Tails...

Sunagawa said, and the people around them were watching them closely, not wanting to get too excited too soon, or their little hearts might not be able to handle it.

"Seven-Tails? What Seven-Tails? Didn't I just say that I did a deal with Danzo and sold him the Seven-Tails?"

Masato looked at them with a puzzled expression and said.

"puff!!"

"What?! You sold the Seven-Tails to Danzo Shimura in exchange for these supplies?! σ(⊙▽⊙a)"

Kaizo's volume instantly tripled, and everyone around him stared at Shinto in disbelief.

Those are Tailed Beasts! There are only nine in the entire ninja world. Do you know how difficult it is to get even one? If it weren't for you, the Iwagakure would still be owed money by me for two Tailed Beasts!

That's such a waste of money!!

"Otherwise what? Otherwise, where do you think I'd get so many supplies? In the entire Hidden Leaf Village, only the Senju clan's princess and prince are worth this price. But with Mito Uzumaki around, I can't bring myself to do it!"

Shindou shrugged, speechless, and said, "Once Tsunade or that Nawaki is tied up, even if Hiruzen Sarutobi is indecisive, he'll still go to war with Sunagakure! After all, she's a descendant of Hashirama Senju..."

"You... Ugh! What a terrible thing you've done!"

Just now, Hai Zang, who was gratified that his two children had grown up, looked up to the sky and sighed. He wished he could tell the two boys' father to take them back and re-educate them!

The supplies are good, but nothing compares to the tailed beasts!

Now they have the complete Tailed Beast Sealing Technique, so they can handle not only the Seven-Tails, but even an Eight-Tails.

Although there are many supplies, they will eventually run out. But the tailed beasts can stay in the village to strengthen its power!