NOVEL NEXT Chapter 132: Chapter 127: The Ignorant Ninja of Kusagakure!
Chapter 127: The Ignorant Ninja of Kusagakure!
After hearing Naruto's explanation, Kakashi felt deeply shocked. Naruto's strength was advancing at an astonishing speed. Now, with the Nine-Tails' help, Naruto would probably surpass him in no time. Thinking of this, Kakashi couldn't help but sigh.
He recalled how he was once hailed as a prodigy in the Ninja Academy, yet now Naruto was quickly catching up. It felt like he had wasted these years of his life. To think Naruto, who was once dead last at the Academy, had come so far—much like that other man. Kakashi's thoughts drifted to Obito, though he believed Obito had long since passed.
Standing nearby, Sasuke clenched his fist, silently vowing to grow stronger. He couldn't afford to let Naruto pull ahead. Although they were teammates, there was always a layer of rivalry between them.
Meanwhile, after reinforcing the seal to lock down the Afterworld where Ishihara was held, the Sage of the Six Paths quickly sought out Black Zetsu. He discreetly relayed the news that Ishihara was sealed and immobilized. Black Zetsu, upon receiving this information, pondered for a moment before deciding to investigate. After repeated probing, he confirmed that Ishihara truly seemed out of the picture. This meant they could finally start gathering the tailed beasts, perhaps even immediately.
According to his calculations, the Six-Tails would soon revive as well. Taking advantage of Ishihara's absence, they could collect the tailed beasts and forge the Ten-Tails. Then, they could unseal his mother. Black Zetsu's entire body trembled with excitement at the thought. Seizing the opportunity, he approached Obito to present the plan.
Upon hearing it, Obito's eyes lit up, and he clenched his fists, murmuring, "Rin! Just wait! I will create a world for you! A world where you exist!" And so, under the leadership of Black Zetsu and Obito, the entire Akatsuki organization began mobilizing.
As the Shinobi World descended into chaos, the Sage of the Six Paths felt immensely pleased. If he had harbored any good intentions before, those feelings were now gone, replaced by a deepening obsession. Seeing the toad sage's frail state only intensified his fear of death. To him now, as long as he could become the Shinigami, the fate of the Shinobi World was inconsequential. It was all expendable.
Even after mobilizing these hidden forces, the Sage felt the chaos wasn't sufficient. But he could step back now—Akatsuki alone was enough to stir up the entire Shinobi World.
As expected, after Black Zetsu and Obito committed to their plan, they began spreading rumors. Although labeled as rumors, there was truth to them. They exposed many of Ishihara's secret techniques, specifying exactly who held them. This revelation sent shockwaves through the Shinobi World. From wandering rogue ninjas to the Four Great Shinobi Villages, everyone coveted Ishihara's techniques, particularly for their power and functionality. If obtained, these techniques could significantly enhance a village's strength.
However, most held back out of fear of Ishihara's retaliation, wary of their chances against him. Nonetheless, many sent out scouts for information. Akatsuki then leaked news that Ishihara had either disappeared or died, and once again, the Shinobi World erupted into a frenzy. Suddenly, Orochimaru and the Immortal Organization became everyone's targets, with every ninja and faction's gaze focused on them. Even passing stray dogs seemed eager to take a bite out of them.
In truth, Akatsuki's motive was simple: to plunge the Shinobi World into disorder to capture the tailed beasts. From start to finish, Akatsuki's sole goal was to gather the tailed beasts and create a "peaceful" world.
During this chaotic period, the Sage of the Six Paths secretly replicated some of Ishihara's techniques and sent them to Naruto and Sasuke through a unique method. After all, he counted on Naruto and Sasuke to ultimately defeat Ishihara.
…
Over a year later, Orochimaru and his Immortal Organization had discovered the source of the chaos plaguing the Shinobi World: Akatsuki. They had also deduced Akatsuki's objective—the collection of tailed beasts to create the Ten-Tails. With this knowledge, they resolved not to let Akatsuki achieve its goal. They openly clashed with Akatsuki, dispatching members throughout the Shinobi World to track the tailed beasts.
Meanwhile, Haku arrived in Kusagakure. Upon arrival, he hid himself, soon noticing a woman from the Uzumaki Clan—Karin! Seeing her, Haku wasted no time and approached to take her away.
"Come with me," Haku said. Karin looked at the man before her with some confusion. Just then, a few ninjas from Kusagakure couldn't hold back any longer. Who was this guy, thinking he could take one of their own right in front of them? Did he think Kusagakure was that easy to bully? Although they weren't one of the Five Great Nations, they weren't that weak either!
"You brat, what did you just say?"
"Hah! You want to die, kid? Do you even know where you are?"
"To act so brazenly on Kusagakure's turf, it looks like you're in need of some lessons!" The Kusagakure ninjas laughed mockingly. To them, Haku was just a young punk, not someone worth worrying about.
However, when Haku pulled out a kunai, they paused. This guy—he was a ninja?
"Ha ha ha! This is too funny! He actually has a kunai. Guess he's a little ninja, huh?"
"What's this, trying to play hero? Or do you just want to save the girl?"
"Amusing. I've lost count of how many little ninjas like you I've killed. There's a big gap between a Chunin and a Genin!"
"Exactly! And the difference between a Genin and a rookie is even bigger!"
Clearly, the Kusagakure ninjas didn't take Haku seriously. Haku, uninterested in using his Bloodline Limit on this group, calmly replied, "You're right. But the gap between a Jonin and a Chunin is even greater."
"What? Did I hear that right?"
"Haha, Jonin? Kid, don't tell me you think you're a Jonin?"
"What a fool! Did you think our village doesn't know what a Jonin is?"
"If you're a Jonin, then I'm the Hokage…"