Chapter 667: Konoha Ninja Clan Dispute

Six Paths City, Land of Rain.

“That’s strange, why is Leader Kakuzu standing here near the main road with his people?”

Residents entering and exiting the city curiously looked at Kakuzu by the roadside. Of course, they were not unfamiliar with this second-in-command of the Shinobi Sect.

At this moment, a team that looked like a Ninja squad appeared on the main road.

The leader was a Ninja wearing a Amegakure forehead protector, but the team members behind him did not wear forehead protectors.

Seeing that the people he was waiting for had arrived, Kakuzu smiled and went to greet them, shaking hands with the leading Rain Ninja.

“Shirakawa, welcome back,” Kakuzu said with a smile.

Shirakawa was actually Roshi, who had gone to Bird Country with him to develop the Shinobi Sect, but to avoid revealing his identity, Roshi used a pseudonym.

When Kakuzu returned to the Shinobi Sect, there was still some work in Bird Country, but Kakuzu was worried about something happening to the Shinobi Sect, so he returned early, leaving all the finishing touches to Roshi.

That’s why Kakuzu came to greet Roshi after learning he was returning; after all, Roshi had helped him with a lot of work.

Otherwise, at his rank, he wouldn’t need to go outside the city to pick someone up.

The Shinobi Sect Ninja behind Kakuzu curiously sized up the Ninja behind Roshi.

They knew that the others were also Shinobi Sect Ninja, Ninja from the Shinobi Sect’s branch in Bird Country.

The reason they weren’t wearing forehead protectors was that the Bird Country Shinobi Sect Ninja didn’t have them yet.

Someone suggested that the Bird Country Shinobi Sect Ninja should also wear the Land of Rain forehead protectors, but the leader directly rejected it.

Finally, it was decided in a meeting to design a new forehead protector belonging to the Shinobi Sect itself, no longer using the Amegakure forehead protector.

So, until the Shinobi Sect forehead protector was designed, the Bird Country Shinobi Sect Ninja did not wear forehead protectors.

The Bird Country Shinobi Sect Ninja were also sizing up the Shinobi Sect Ninja wearing Amegakure forehead protectors, but their gazes carried a hint of respect, which was reverence for pioneers and seniors.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to Sōsuke, you can report on your work first.”

Roshi nodded.

After personally practicing the Shinobi Sect’s ideals in Bird Country, Roshi officially joined the Shinobi Sect and became a Shinobi Sect Ninja not long after.

Watching a country move in a good direction with his own efforts, this feeling elevated Roshi as a person, making him feel that his previous life was so empty and meaningless.

Led by Kakuzu, the group headed towards the Shinobi Sect stronghold.

“What’s been happening recently? Why does Six Paths City feel a bit deserted?” Walking on the main thoroughfare of Six Paths City, Roshi asked in confusion, looking at the somewhat sparse crowd.

While the Third Shinobi World War was raging, Sōsuke successfully reorganized the Land of Rain, making it peaceful and stable.

The Land of Rain was already located at the convergence of the three great nations, with superior geographical conditions. After Sōsuke’s reorganization, it instantly became the center of nearby countries, and its population and economy soared.

Six Paths City, with Ninja Master Sōsuke presiding over it, was even considered the safest place in the Land of Rain. From the powerful and wealthy to commoners, everyone wanted to buy a house and settle in Six Paths City.

Therefore, although Six Paths City was built in a short time, in terms of prosperity, it was no worse than the capital of the Land of Rain.

“Konoha sent Orochimaru to negotiate some time ago, and we broke off talks. They probably think a war is about to start,” Kakuzu replied calmly.

To be honest, he could understand those who left.

After all, that was the victorious side of the Third Shinobi World War, the strongest Ninja Village in the current Ninja World.

Not to mention ordinary citizens, even Kakuzu himself, as the second-in-command of the Shinobi Sect, had no confidence and couldn’t determine the future of the Shinobi Sect and Six Paths City; it was just that Kakuzu wasn’t afraid of death.

Dying for ideals and beliefs was better than being backstabbed by trusted companions.

“Konoha…” Roshi’s expression was solemn.

He was powerful and had a special identity, so he knew many secrets of Iwagakure and understood the strength of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

The strength of the Five Great Ninja Villages was hard for ordinary Ninja forces to imagine.

Even Iwagakure, with over ten thousand active Ninja, was still cautious when facing other great Ninja Villages, and even so, it became a defeated nation in the Third Shinobi World War.

“Leader Kakuzu, is our Shinobi Sect going to war with Konoha?” a Bird Country Shinobi Sect Ninja following Roshi couldn’t help but ask.

Kakuzu played a decisive role in the emergence of the Bird Country Shinobi Sect. Most of the current Ninja of the Bird Country Shinobi Sect are familiar with Kakuzu, so they asked directly.

“Not necessarily, but even if we do go to war, don’t be too pessimistic, it’ll be fine,” Kakuzu said, reassuring them with a smile.

“This isn’t my opinion, it’s the instruction of the Supreme Leader Sōsuke,” Kakuzu added.

When Kakuzu said this, the Ninja from Bird Country immediately felt much more at ease.

They had never met Sōsuke, only seen photos and portraits.

But they had heard of Sōsuke’s deeds, and they felt that if it was the legendary founder of the new Shinobi Sect, he should truly have a way.

Upon arriving at the Shinobi Sect stronghold, Kakuzu arranged for the Bird Country Shinobi Sect Ninja, while he himself went to the Shinobi Sect’s office building and entered the leader’s office.

“The initial establishment of the Bird Country Shinobi Sect has been completed…”

Roshi first reported on his work, without asking about Konoha.

Muzuki listened, thought for a moment, and then asked, “What are your thoughts on the future development of the Bird Country Shinobi Sect?”

“Strengthen the promotion of Shinobi Sect ideology, let more people understand Shinobi Sect ideology, meticulously investigate Ninja forces in Bird Country, distinguish between friends and enemies, clear out enemies affecting public order within Bird Country, strengthen public order construction…” Roshi replied after a brief consideration.

He referenced some of Sōsuke’s measures for reorganizing public order in the Land of Rain, and also included some of his own ideas after working on the ground in Bird Country.

Although Bird Country did not have a Ninja Village, it did have Ninja forces; in the current Ninja World, there are very few places completely devoid of Ninja.

Where there are Ninja forces, there are different ideologies and conflicts.

Roshi believed that they could leverage the conflicts between different forces to gain as much support as possible, thereby strengthening the Shinobi Sect’s power.

“It seems you’ve gained a lot from this trip,” Muzuki showed a satisfied smile.

Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. Roshi’s ability to maintain enthusiasm and diligently think after truly doing things indicated that he genuinely supported the Shinobi Sect’s ultimate ideal.

This was an unexpected pleasant surprise. Previously, Muzuki chose to shelter Roshi largely because of the Tailed Beast.

Now it was different; even if Roshi didn’t have Four-Tails, Muzuki would still confront Iwagakure for Roshi.

What Iwagakure rogue Ninja? This was a great warrior of his Shinobi Sect!

“You’ve really changed a lot,” even Four-Tails within Roshi couldn’t help but exclaim.

The former Roshi was taciturn, often getting into arguments after only a few words, but now Roshi could passionately report for half an hour.

“But it’s very good,” Four-Tails gave a thumbs up.

Four-Tails wasn’t sure how others viewed it, but Four-Tails liked Roshi’s change very much.

The current Roshi gave it a feeling that even if he were placed in the Shinobi Sect during the Six Paths Sage’s era, he would be highly valued by the Six Paths Sage.

Roshi returned a thumbs up to Four-Tails in his consciousness world; he was also very grateful for the Chakra support Four-Tails had always provided.

“Leader, I heard we have a conflict with Konoha now. Do you need me to make an appearance in the areas surrounding Konoha? It should be able to tie up some of Konoha’s resources,” Roshi asked.

He wasn’t trying to fight Konoha in the Land of Fire by himself, but rather to use his Jinchuriki status to make Iwagakure and Konoha argue.

Konoha and Iwagakure had just signed a peace treaty, and it ended with Iwagakure’s defeat, so it was unlikely that the two sides would go to war again in the short term. However, Jinchuriki are crucial to Ninja Villages, so Iwagakure would definitely still take action, just not in the form of war.

Although he didn’t have a good impression of Iwagakure, it was still the Village where he grew up. He didn’t want to go back, but he wouldn’t deliberately cause wars between other Ninja Villages and Iwagakure.

“No need, just focus on your work. Don’t worry about Konoha’s matters,” Muzuki said, shaking his head.

Kakuzu followed up, saying, “If the sky falls, Sōsuke, the tall one, will hold it up. Don’t worry yourself silly.”

Roshi’s idea was feasible, but it would put him in danger.

Compared to Roshi, Kakuzu was still more willing to trust Sōsuke, after all, Sōsuke was the man who almost instantly defeated him.

Of course, trust was one thing, but Kakuzu was still quite curious about what trump card Sōsuke had.

If he wanted to resolve a great Ninja Village with sheer strength, then Sōsuke would at least need to have the strength of Senju Hashirama.

Roshi finally nodded and walked out of the office with Kakuzu.

Kakuzu suddenly remembered something and said to Roshi, “I’ll take you to see something good, something you’ve definitely never seen before.”

Roshi originally wanted to rest and read, but hearing Kakuzu say that, he became a little interested.

Perhaps it was because they were both rogue Ninja, or perhaps because of the time they struggled together in Bird Country, their acquaintance wasn’t long, but they had now become good friends.

Then Kakuzu took Roshi to Sasori’s laboratory.

When they arrived, Sasori had just finished surgery on a Ninja with a severed arm and was checking for adverse reactions, while Nagato was helping to record nearby.

“Make a fist, swing it out forcefully; gather Chakra in your palm, perform Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation…” Sasori directed.

Roshi’s eyes widened at this sight.

He hadn’t noticed at first glance, but upon closer inspection, he realized that one of the Ninja’s arms was not a normal arm.

As the Ninja shot poison needles and extended a hidden blade from his arm, Roshi’s expression became even more shocked. What the hell, this looked a bit like a puppet.

“Amazing, right? This is our Shinobi Sect’s latest research achievement — Puppet Prosthetics!” Kakuzu said proudly.

“Whether it’s a severed leg or a severed hand, you can get rid of the disability by transplanting a prosthetic limb through this method.”

“Moreover, our prosthetics not only look no different from ordinary limbs, but they can also be used like ordinary limbs, not only for Ninjutsu, but also for enhancing strength by adding hidden weapons through modification.”

“However, the effect being too good is also quite troublesome. I heard some weaker Ninja want to cut off their good limbs to transplant prosthetics,” Kakuzu said, feigning a headache.

Roshi was speechless.

Although it sounded absurd, he thought about it carefully and realized it actually made sense.

In the Ninja World, strength is revered. Many Ninja would even try forbidden Ninjutsu that could cost them their lives for powerful strength, let alone replacing hands or legs.

“Leader Kakuzu, is there something you need?” Nagato walked over to the two and asked.

Nagato had already noticed Kakuzu and Roshi arriving, but because he had to record the experiment just now, he hadn’t gone over.

“Nothing special, just brought him to see our Shinobi Sect’s scientific research achievements,” Kakuzu said, patting Roshi’s shoulder.

“I do have some questions. Is now a good time?” Roshi asked after thinking for a moment.

“Yes,” Nagato nodded.

“What is the success rate of this prosthetic limb currently, and what are the side effects of transplant failure?” Roshi quickly asked.

Both arms and legs are indispensable to Ninja; without one hand, it’s impossible to perform hand seals, and Ninja who can perform one-handed hand seals are extremely rare.

And losing a leg is more serious than losing a hand; at least with one hand, there’s still the possibility of one-handed hand seals, and one can still use Taijutsu. But if one loses a leg, that’s definitely goodbye to the Ninja profession.

Because a Ninja with only one leg would only be a target in combat.

Ninja is a profession that lives on the edge, and even if they consciously protect their limbs well, there are always times when things go wrong, so there are actually many Ninja with severed legs and hands.

The reason they are not common is that once they are severed, they simply retire and become ordinary citizens.

Roshi felt that this prosthetic limb was crucial to the Shinobi Sect; if operated properly, it could not only acquire a large amount of money but also gain more power.

“One hundred percent, no failures, no side effects,” Sasori said calmly, answering the question for Nagato.

Are you kidding? This was just a derivative technology of his Human Puppet technique; how could there be any problems?

“However, currently only Sasori can perform this Ninjutsu, and only he can create the prosthetic limbs; others are still learning,” Nagato added.

Sasori lifted his head. Those incompetent people naturally couldn’t learn his genius technique well, just as he couldn’t defeat Nagato with Ninjutsu.

Some of the enthusiasm in Roshi’s eyes faded. If it couldn’t be mass-produced, and even the surgery could only be performed by Sasori alone, then the limitations were much greater.

However, Roshi still felt it was very impressive, and when talking to Sasori, he subconsciously showed a hint more respect. This was an invention that could benefit the entire Ninja community.

After a tour of the laboratory, it was soon dinnertime. Just as Kakuzu was preparing to take Roshi to the cafeteria for a meal, a Shinobi Sect Ninja approached them.

“Leader Kakuzu, Konoha has sent another negotiation team, and Orochimaru is leading it again,” the Shinobi Sect Ninja reported.

“They’ve arrived,”

Kakuzu wasn’t too surprised; Konoha had notified them in advance this time.

“Are you going to eat or join the fun?” Kakuzu asked Roshi.

“Let’s go together. I’m not very hungry, and we can eat together after the talks,” Roshi replied.

Not to mention not being very hungry, even if he were truly hungry, he would still have to go see what was happening first.

He still hoped that the Shinobi Sect and Konoha wouldn’t clash; currently, the two sides were not on the same scale, the gap was too large.

“Alright, we’ll wait for Nagato, and then we’ll go together to see what kind of joke they’ve come up with this time.”