Chapter 711: Captain Experience Card Expired

“Captain Obito, why do they look at us so strangely? Do they want to fight?” Anko noticed the unusual stares from the Land of Rain’s residents and Ninja, and quietly asked Obito.

“Uh, probably not.” Obito scratched his head, unsure how to explain.

The events leading to this situation were complex and lengthy.

“It’s probably because they haven’t seen Konoha Ninja in a long time. I even thought we were going to war with the Shinobi Sect before.” Izumo Kamizuki analyzed.

The disputes between Konoha and the Shinobi Sect were numerous. The Shinobi Sect leader, Sōsuke, had killed Konoha’s former Hokage Assistant, Danzo Shimura, and also defeated the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

So, at that time, many Konoha Ninja predicted that war would soon break out between the two sides.

But looking at the current situation, it was clear that those people had guessed wrong. Konoha not only didn’t go to war with the Shinobi Sect but also came to Six Paths City to seek cooperation.

“You could say that.” Obito nodded.

Izumo Kamizuki’s statement wasn’t wrong. At that time, the conflict between Konoha and the Shinobi Sect was too great. Even if war hadn’t broken out, no ordinary Konoha Ninja would have come to the Land of Rain.

It had probably been a considerable amount of time since Konoha Ninja openly wearing Konoha headbands had appeared in the Land of Rain.

“Then, after I enter Six Paths City, I’ll look for some of Six Paths City’s specialty snacks. When I return to Konoha, they’ll sell like hotcakes.” Kotetsu Hagane felt he had discovered a business opportunity.

Since Konoha Ninja didn’t come to Six Paths City, they definitely couldn’t eat Six Paths City’s specialty food.

“No matter how rare it is, if it’s unpalatable, no customer will buy it.” Anko reprimanded.

As a seasoned customer of various snacks, Anko disliked Kotetsu Hagane’s opportunistic approach.

“That’s a good idea, but Kotetsu, you’d better not think about it. What if the Police Force identifies you as a spy again?” Izumo Kamizuki chuckled.

When Kotetsu Hagane was caught as a spy, he was watching the show with binoculars and almost died laughing.

Kotetsu Hagane’s face darkened. Last time was purely an accident. He would definitely seize the opportunity to redeem himself and prove his abilities.

“Jonin Obito, please be more vigilant of your surroundings. The Land of Rain is a mixed bag now, so be extra cautious.” Nara Shikaku looked at Obito and said.

Obito was not the leader of this cooperation negotiation team; Nara Shikaku was. Obito was part of the escort squad that took on the protection mission.

Nara Shikaku didn’t believe the Shinobi Sect would resort to foul play, but he thought other Ninja Villages might seize the opportunity to act, escalating the conflict between Konoha and the Shinobi Sect.

After all, those Ninja Villages weren’t doing this for the first time; otherwise, how could the news of Danzo Shimura’s death and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s defeat have spread so quickly?

“Captain Shikaku, I understand.” Obito nodded slightly.

Out of caution, he didn’t speak too definitively.

After all, most of the time Kakashi said there would be no accidents, accidents still happened.

Under Obito’s careful escort, the team quickly arrived safely at Six Paths City.

Once inside Six Paths City, things became a bit simpler because Shinobi Sect Ninja helped with the escort.

Thus, Nara Shikaku quickly reached the Shinobi Sect’s office building, went to Kakuzu’s office, and began negotiations with this legendary number two figure of the Shinobi Sect.

“The Shinobi Sect will not refuse anyone with sincerity. What price is Konoha willing to pay to obtain prosthetic limbs?” Kakuzu asked directly.

He personally had a slight dislike for Konoha, but he wouldn’t let personal feelings interfere with his work. If Konoha’s sincerity was enough, then they would be treated equally.

“Does the Shinobi Sect only sell finished prosthetic limbs and assist with surgery, or can all techniques be sold?” Nara Shikaku did not answer Kakuzu’s question but instead asked his own.

He didn’t want to fall into Kakuzu’s rhythm and wanted to take the initiative.

“All techniques? You’re dreaming, but indeed, a portion of the techniques can be sold, but only through a technique-for-technique exchange.” Kakuzu grinned.

As a unique technique in the current Ninja World, puppet prosthetic limbs were like a cash cow. How could the Shinobi Sect easily release them?

The Shinobi Sect would release different puppet prosthetic limb techniques over time, exchanging them for techniques the Shinobi Sect lacked or was weak in, to accelerate the Shinobi Sect’s development.

Mainly, Sasori also said that if Sunagakure truly concentrated its efforts on research, it could definitely crack the puppet prosthetic limb technique within three years, so hiding it for too long had little meaning.

Then, Kakuzu smoothly stated the techniques that could be released initially and the techniques the Shinobi Sect needed.

“Scroll manufacturing process…” Nara Shikaku fell into thought.

Scrolls were items frequently used by Ninja, often for recording confidential information or as carriers for various Ninjutsu.

For various reasons, the scroll manufacturing processes of the Five Great Ninja Villages were superior to other Ninja forces, and their quality was better.

“However, if it’s just the scroll manufacturing process, it’s not a loss.” Nara Shikaku thought to himself.

There were many types of scrolls, and besides manufacturing, there were various other processing techniques, which were the real essence.

“If it’s just these techniques, in terms of value, Konoha would be at too much of a disadvantage.” Nara Shikaku thought for a moment and said.

Although he inwardly felt it was acceptable, Nara Shikaku certainly couldn’t agree directly and had to try to secure more benefits.

After all, saying a few more words wouldn’t waste much time, and even if it didn’t succeed, there was no cost.

“I heard Iwagakure’s scroll manufacturing process is also quite good.” Kakuzu said leisurely.

No matter what Nara Shikaku said, Konoha now needed the Shinobi Sect’s puppet prosthetic limbs more than the Shinobi Sect needed Konoha’s scroll manufacturing process.

Ultimately, Nara Shikaku sternly rejected Kakuzu’s terms, agreeing to discuss it again tomorrow.

After walking out of the Shinobi Sect’s office building, Nara Shikaku smiled.

He would have completed his mission as long as he could reach an agreement with the Shinobi Sect to purchase prosthetic limbs, but this time there was also a chance to buy some techniques, which was an over-fulfillment of the mission.

“It was unexpectedly smooth.” Nara Shikaku sighed in his heart.

The smoothness of this mission surprised him a little.

When Konoha initially negotiated with the Shinobi Sect, the conditions they offered showed no respect for the Shinobi Sect at all.

So, before coming, Nara Shikaku had prepared to be difficult by the Shinobi Sect Ninja.

He didn’t expect the Shinobi Sect Ninja to be surprisingly generous. Although they weren’t overly enthusiastic, they didn’t deliberately show cold faces and refuse cooperation.

The next day, the two sides pulled back and forth again, basically finalizing the specific content of the cooperation.

The Shinobi Sect would provide puppet prosthetic limbs and some techniques, while Konoha would provide money and the techniques the Shinobi Sect needed.

As they were about to leave Six Paths City, Nara Shikaku and others toured Six Paths City under the protection of Shinobi Sect Ninja.

“The expansion speed is so fast. I remember when I came here before, this place was just the size of an ordinary town. Now it’s so big.” Obito was surprised by the development speed of Six Paths City.

Obito was one of the few Ninja in the Konoha team who had been to Six Paths City. The Six Paths City he saw now was very different from the Six Paths City he saw when he participated in the Youth Martial Arts Tournament.

“To build a prosperous town so quickly from nothing, there are capable people in the Shinobi Sect.” Nara Shikaku thought silently.

It was true that a strong individual could drive the development of a Ninja force, but to build a prosperous town from scratch in a few years required more than just one strong individual.

“This place is good.”

Anko, who had tasted delicious snacks on the snack street, gave a thumbs up.

“Are there any Six Paths City specialty snacks…”

Kotetsu Hagane still wanted to redeem himself and prove his talent as a salesman with facts.

After the tour, most of the Ninja in the team were quite satisfied with their trip to Six Paths City.

“Next time I come to the Land of Rain, I can stop by and play. It feels pretty good.” Obito said.

“Mm-hmm, that dango shop was really good.” Anko nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, Obito remembered something, “Maybe I really will come back soon. I remember the Amegakure isn’t particularly far from Six Paths City, right?”

Six Paths City was located in the eastern part of the Land of Rain, while the Amegakure was in the central part of the Land of Rain. This distance was not long for Obito now.

“I want to challenge Hanzo once. I can stop by Six Paths City to play then.”

Obito had wanted to challenge Hanzo for a long time because Jiraiya kept boasting about his title as one of the Sannin.

He thought, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, even though they didn’t win against Hanzo when they teamed up, still got the Sannin title. If he alone defeated Hanzo, wouldn’t he get a title even cooler than ‘Demigod’?

“Hanzo is already dead.” Nara Shikaku said with a subtle expression.

Hanzo and Danzo Shimura died on the same day, but compared to Danzo Shimura, whose death news spread throughout the Ninja World, the news of Hanzo’s death spread very little.

“Ah, dead?” Obito looked bewildered.

He was still thinking of getting a good title to show off to Jiraiya, but why did he suddenly die?

“This is the Ninja World. Actually, compared to most ordinary Ninja, Hanzo already lived a long life.” Nara Shikaku sighed.

In the frequently warring Ninja World, many Ninja don’t live to retirement.

Obito was speechless for a moment.

He and Hanzo were just strangers who had never interacted, but suddenly realizing that a goal he had set long ago could never be achieved still left him feeling a bit melancholic.

“It’s okay, Captain Obito, you can challenge Sōsuke, he’s even stronger than Hanzo!” Anko comforted and encouraged him.

Obito’s mouth twitched. That was completely unnecessary. With the Flying Thunder God Technique and Kamui, he might be able to defeat Hanzo, but going to Sōsuke? Wasn’t that just asking for a beating out of boredom?…

Upon returning to Konoha, Nara Shikaku and Obito went to the Hokage Office together to report on the mission.

Nara Shikaku reported first, primarily on the cooperation regarding puppet prosthetic limbs. After reporting, he left the Hokage Office.

Obito then reported on his escort mission.

“Anko and their squad’s original captain has fully recovered. What are your plans next? Do you want to continue leading a team, or do you have other things you’d like to do?” Muzuki asked.

Obito was stunned. Hearing Muzuki’s words, he suddenly remembered that his captaincy was temporary.

“What to do…” Obito fell into deep thought.

Whether or not to continue leading a team, that was the question.

PS:

I originally thought drinking a can of Red Bull would keep me going, but I still passed out as soon as I hit the bed around 3 AM and only woke up after 11 AM.