Konoha's Mission Master

Bonus reward: One instance refresh right.

Yakumo silently closed the task panel. Following the usual pattern, the quarterly reward content was bound to happen, which meant…

If Yakumo doesn't intervene, Yahiko won't live past November. When Yahiko dies, Pain will be born!

Sure enough, not long after, Jiraiya came knocking on their door.

After entering, Jiraiya picked up the kettle and took several large gulps of cold water, a hint of tension still lingering on his face.

"What happened?" Yakumo asked.

"Come with me to Amegakure."

"The person who was involved in the details about Kakashi a while ago, Sasori, the grandson of Granny Chiyo from Sunagakure, has been found!"

"Are we going to kill someone?" Yakumo asked.

"It's complicated; she joined the Akatsuki."

"?"

Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief.

"Xie was treated by Xiaonan and turned into a girl. It is said that during the treatment, it was discovered that some of her organs had been permanently damaged."

Yakumo's expression changed repeatedly.

"This is really... outrageous."

On the other hand, the feedback from this quarterly meeting was very vague, and he was unable to accurately determine where Yahiko's danger came from.

Yakumo immediately began packing his clothes and the weapons and equipment he needed to take. Half an hour later, the two set off. At the same time, Yakumo left a shadow clone to explain the situation to Masako Mori.

Running down the street, Yakumo noticed something unusual. The pedestrians were still walking slowly and calmly, but many ninjas were running quickly and in a hurry.

This is a harbinger of war.

"Has anything happened recently?"

"It's all because of Sasori's disappearance. Now that old man Chiyo has basically gone mad, she keeps using her influence to increase the conflict between Konoha and Sunagakure."

"Couldn't the Third Kazekage control her?"

"It's difficult. Behind her are the entire puppet mobile force of Sunagakure, as well as the support of Ebizo. He controls Sunagakure's intelligence personnel and spies planted in various hidden villages. These two forces combined can almost bypass the Third Kazekage to influence Sunagakure."

Yakumo was stunned upon hearing this. In his mind, the Kage of each village were the actual controllers of the ninja village. He never expected that they would also be forced to make a choice.

Through Jiraiya's explanation, Yakumo finally understood that Sasori's existence was like a stabilizer for Elder Chiyo.

Leave her room to maneuver and prevent her from acting recklessly.

But now the stabilizer has disappeared, and in her opinion, it has been secretly executed by Konoha. Elder Chiyo is now filled with nothing but burning hatred!

PS: Requesting monthly votes

Chapter 171 Scorpion Loses His Memory, Konan Becomes a Mother

The Land of Fire, within the forest.

Jiraiya and Yakumo set up camp here.

What are our goals and plans for this trip?

Yakumo asked.

"The Fourth Hokage wants us to kill Sasori."

Jiraiya stirred the burning branches with a stick, making them crackle and pop under the flames.

"Oh, good, the mission is simple... kill someone."

Since we've already become enemies, killing them is naturally the best course of action.

He agreed with Sakumo Hatake's decision.

"It's not that simple. The Third Hokage hopes we can bring Sasori back to Konoha so that we can negotiate with Sunagakure and gain many benefits."

"Tsk... The Third Generation Lord certainly likes to join in the fun."

Yakumo thought to himself, and at the same time asked aloud.

"Lord Jiraiya, which one do you prefer?"

"If we kill them, a major war will inevitably break out."

"I hate war."

Jiraiya didn't give a direct answer, but his meaning was quite clear: out of consideration for peace, Jiraiya would probably let Sasori go.

"this…"

Yakumo gently shook his head, secretly deciding that if the opportunity arose, he would kill Sasori God without anyone noticing. Of course, the most important thing was to protect Yahiko's safety.

…for the mission.

The two continued their journey the next day.

They arrived at Amegakure that very night.

The most direct impression that Amegakure gave Yakumo was that it was more orderly. Pedestrians on the street were no longer in a hurry, and they no longer looked at others with suspicion.

It was quiet and peaceful; everyone's eyes were filled with goodwill.

The Akatsuki organization governed Amegakure Village extremely well.

Akatsuki's stronghold.

Yakumo saw Sasori after the surgery.

She is about 1.5 meters tall and has long pink hair that reaches her waist.

Upon seeing Yakumo, she suddenly hid timidly behind Konan. Her skin was fair and radiant, and she wore a light pink pleated dress, making her look like a delicately crafted little princess.

Unfortunately, all she could see in her eyes was fear and anxiety, like a wounded little animal seeking its mother's protection.

"Don't be afraid, Xiao Lan, these two are good people."

With Konan's comfort, Sasori's trembling body gradually calmed down, and through Konan's explanation, Yakumo confirmed two things.

First, Scorpion, is now truly a girl.

Second, she has lost her memory. Now she calls Konan "Mom" and Yahiko "Dad," while Nagato is the bad uncle who wants to take her mom away.

Yakumo was speechless for a moment. Perhaps it was because Sasori longed for love from his parents that he mistook the first woman he saw after losing his memory for his mother and the first man he saw after opening his eyes for his father.

But... they are the enemy.

Looking at Sasori's flawless white face and innocent, childlike eyes, Yakumo found it hard to bring herself to harm her. At this moment, Sasori was no longer the cold and ruthless puppeteer, but a timid and weak girl.

Jiraiya's expression became even more complicated. He roughly understood the whole story from the letter, and knowing his disciple well, he knew it would be an incredibly difficult process.

“She is Chiyo’s granddaughter from Sunagakure. We plan to bring her back to Konoha and have Sunagakure pay a ransom for her.”

Yakumo bluntly stated that since Jiraiya didn't want to speak up about this matter, he would have to play the villain.

"No!" Xiao Nan instantly shielded Scorpion behind her, and the atmosphere on the platform became tense.

"What are your thoughts?" Yakumo asked Yahiko.

After all, Yahiko is the leader of Akatsuki, and at this point, only Yahiko could persuade Konan.

Unfortunately, to Yakumo's disappointed gaze, Yahiko stood beside Konan and spoke with a firm and resolute voice.

I disagree.

"you…"

Jiraiya stepped forward to stop Yakumo from saying what he was about to say, quickly trying to smooth things over and ease the tense atmosphere.

"Let's have a meal first and then discuss it."

Yakumo sat by the fire, secretly swallowing as he watched the roasted chicken wings turn golden brown. The tense atmosphere in the environment eased slightly.

But Sasori... also known as Xiao Lan, was hiding between Yahiko and Konan, secretly glancing at Yakumo and Jiraiya from afar, her eyes full of hostility.

"You two... are bad people for making Mom unhappy!"

The scorpion timidly expressed its dissatisfaction.

At this time, she was only about five years old in terms of mental age.

"This matter is not open to discussion!"

Xiao Nan spoke calmly, her voice full of confidence.

"Ah...this."

Konan tilted her head back like a proud swan, spreading her white arms to protect Sasori behind her. At this moment, her eyes were full of fearlessness, as if she was willing to break with Jiraiya and Yakumo for Sasori, or even become an enemy of the world.

"Okay, okay, Sister Xiaonan is the bravest."

Yakumo waved and laughed, taking a chicken wing off the wooden skewer and sucking on it.

Protecting Yahiko is his current mission; as for how or where Sasori should die, that's none of his concern.

“Konan, he is the grandson of Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure. Chiyo has gone completely mad in her search for him. You can’t protect him from Sunagakure at all. Instead, he will bring disaster to the entire Akatsuki organization.”

Jiraiya offered his earnest advice.

Nagato remained relatively silent throughout. Compared to Yahiko's idealism, he appeared more rational and was able to more clearly identify the core of the problem.

“But she… calls me Mom.” Xiao Nan remained stubborn.

Xiao Nan is very stubborn and obstinate; once she sets her mind on something, she won't allow anyone to sway her.

“Master Jiraiya, in the past few months, we have already regarded Ran as family. Since she is Elder Chiyo’s grandson, we can send out a message for her to come and claim her. Then it will be up to Ran to make her own choice. But we will never let her go to Konoha to be used as a bargaining chip for exchanging benefits,” Yahiko suddenly said.

Yakumo picked up another pair of chicken wings and started gnawing on them.

In a sense, Konan saved Sasori's life. If the Akatsuki could establish contact with Sunagakure based on this favor, they could then profit by moving between Konoha and Sunagakure.

Yahiko's actions may seem to stem from an emotional perspective, but in reality, they only bring great benefits to the Akatsuki organization, and of course, they do not harm Konoha either... only that they will lose some interests.

"Then let's decide."

Jiraiya pondered for a few seconds before answering.