April 3rd, sunny day.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, a group of five people walked into a relatively prosperous town in Yuno Country.
Yuno Kuni is famous in the Ninja world for its hot springs and has an extremely beautiful natural environment. It is a country suitable for tourism.
Walking on the streets of towns, you can see hot spring hotels of various sizes everywhere. It can be said that hot springs are everywhere in the country of Yu.
In the center of the town was a large drugstore with three floors.
There is an obvious aster flower mark on the drug store's sign.
It is not difficult to tell that this is a branch pharmacy affiliated to the Ghost Kingdom Ziyuanhua Pharmaceutical Technology Company.
Now, in just one year, this company's industry has spread all over the Ninja World.
Even in small countries, you can often see the nameplate of Aster Flower. People from all over the world are familiar with this company and are not ignorant of it.
At the door of the pharmacy, there were two attendants, a man and a woman.
Wearing a black hooded coat, the back of the coat is engraved with the symbol of an aster flower, which is quite recognizable.
After the five people entered the pharmacy, they walked directly through a secret door and headed towards the third floor.
The first floor of the pharmacy is the sales point, the second floor is the staff rest area, and the third floor is the management work area.
The leader of the five is none other than Insect Man.
Before arriving at a concierge on the third floor, he winked at the other four people and asked them to guard the outside while he opened the door and entered.
After closing the door, Chong Man smiled at the financial expert sitting on the sofa and said, "Mr. Kakuzu, long time no see."
Kakuzu, the financial expert sitting on the sofa, glanced at him lightly and said in a low tone: "I have finished the financial work last month. Let's settle the salary."
"certainly."
The insect man looked at the sealed document that had been placed on his desk. It was the information document that Kakuzu had completed alone.
After more than half a year of cooperation, he had already recognized Kakuzu's financial ability and character, and put the black leather box in his hand on the coffee table in front of Kakuzu.
Rather than having the money transferred to his account, his requirement is that payment must be made in cash. Only when he sees real coins can he rest assured.
In this regard, Kakuzu is undoubtedly a person who pursues reality.
So, ignoring the insect man, Kakuzu opened the box and began to count them one by one.
After counting it back and forth three times, I closed the box again with satisfaction.
"The numbers are the same."
"We are already old friends. You don't have to count the money one by one in front of me every time, right?"
Bug Man sighed.
"No, in this world, only money can be trusted."
Kakuzu stood up from the sofa, holding the box in his hand, turned his head and said this to the insect man.
By implication, the basis of their cooperation is only money.
And money will not betray him.
Nor will he betray money.
Money is his real friend, the rest is nothing.
"Then I wish you good luck in making money."
"That's for sure. In addition, your reward amount has increased rapidly recently. I hope your name will appear on my list as soon as possible."
Kakuzu took out a bounty list.
The records inside are all high-value bounty targets.
There was no name of Insect Man on it. He knew that Insect Man was powerful and already qualified to be selected for this roster, but his reputation was not enough.
Therefore, Insect Man's name can only appear on another list of low-level bounty targets.
"It's really scary to be targeted by Mr. Kakuzu. Maybe I should take a break from my career as a bounty hunter."
The insect man said with a smile.
Kakuzu glanced at the insect man and walked out of the room carrying the box without finishing his words.
Not long after Kakuzu left, the four companions guarding the door came in and saw Mushi Man sitting at the desk, looking at the financial documents left by Kakuzu.
"There's news."
one of them said.
Chong Man put down the document, raised his head and asked, "What's the news?"
"It's the roots of Konoha."
"Konoha Roots? What are they doing in Yunokuni? They are not planning to come here for a hot spring vacation, are they? This is not the holiday period."
Bug Man joked.
You know, their organization still attaches great importance to Roots, an organization lurking deep in Konoha.
All along, they have been secretly collecting information about the Roots, because once people from the Roots move out, it means that Konoha is doing some unseen little tricks again.
"I don't know. According to the information accidentally obtained by the informants below, they seemed to have attacked a small village with a population of less than a hundred people yesterday, and then seemed to carry out activities in the southern part of Yuno Country."
"Attack a village in Yuno Country?"
If he were to come to the Country of Yu and steal important items from the Yu Ninja Village, Insect Man would not be confused.
But what can you gain by attacking a small village?
This is not in line with the interests of the Shinobi.
"I don't know the specific situation."
"Then go and meet the guys at the root. You can't take these guys lightly."
◎
In the dark forest at dusk.
Four figures were moving quickly through the dense woods, wearing windbreakers and colorful masks on their faces.
Each of the four of them was holding a child, and a total of eight children were held by them and ran in a certain direction.
The four of them were silent all the way, just running forward with all their strength.
At this moment, the four of them felt an extremely strange and cold atmosphere permeating the woods. This atmosphere came from all directions, and it was impossible to observe where the source was.
"careful!"
As one of them shouted loudly, the other three also stopped and stared at the surroundings warily.
Suddenly, a bright white light lit up in front of him, illuminating the entire dense forest.
The forest is illuminated for only a short moment, and it is difficult to capture that moment unless you pay special attention.
The four people at the root became alert. Their eyes under the masks stared at the sudden bright light. While they were alert, they could not help but become confused.
"A blind trick?"
That seems to be the case.
After the bright light appeared for a moment, nothing happened.
Although it is a low-level method used by an angry enemy to provoke him, as a member of the root, he cannot be easily provoked by the enemy using such despicable methods.
The four of them threw the children aside, and one of them quickly formed seals to mobilize the chakra in his body.
Since you don't know where the enemy is, use indiscriminate attacks to force them out of the darkness.
"Wind Release·Wind——ah!"
The root ninja who was about to use the wind escape technique suddenly screamed in pain.
A huge insect-shaped lump bulged directly on his chest, which looked very scary.
The other three root ninjas were all shocked and didn't know what happened to their companions.
One person ran over, green light gathered on his palms, and treated the root ninja who was lying on the ground and twitching in pain.
However, before he could receive any treatment, he yelled happily, and a horrifyingly huge insect-shaped lump appeared on his chest.
He fell to the ground and twitched in pain.
Suddenly, the temperature in the dense forest increased sharply.
Dozens of fireballs roared from the direction directly in front, piercing the air at the same time. The tongues of fire roared fiercely, making the masks of the ninjas turn red.
"careful!"
The root ninja who was first lodged by the insect-shaped lump endured the severe pain and quickly pushed away the root companion next to him who wanted to treat him but was also lodged by the insect-shaped lump.
The opponent is a medical ninja. In this era where medical ninjas are not yet fully popular, every medical ninja is a valuable resource.
Relying on his willpower, he stood up from the ground, formed seals with his hands, and wanted to continue to release ninjutsu to resist these fireballs.
This time, the insect-shaped lump on his chest grew rapidly in an even more exaggerated manner, until his body was inflated like a round balloon.
There was a boom.
Exploded on the spot.
Blackened flesh and blood flew everywhere, accompanied by intense fire.
The two root ninjas and the only medical ninja in the team fled from the fireball in embarrassment.
It was suspected that the companion's death was related to the release of ninjutsu. Therefore, after the companion released the ninjutsu and caused the body to explode, he knew that he would definitely die if he released the ninjutsu.
To make matters worse, the only medical ninja in the team was also infected.
A huge insect-shaped lump appeared on the body, as if it was alive, trembling slightly in the flesh of the chest.
With a few whooshing sounds, five figures suddenly stood on the surrounding trees, surrounding them.
"You guys are...Xuan Yuanzhong?"
The only two root ninjas who were safe and sound seemed to recognize the figures and appearances of these five people.
It is Xuan Yuanzhong, a mercenary group that has become somewhat famous in the underground black market in recent years.
What they do is to use people's money to eliminate disasters.
"It's such an honor that the names of mercenaries like us can appear on the list of Konoha Roots."
The insect man put his hands in his pockets and looked down at the remaining three root ninjas.
"hateful!"
Now that we know that the other party is a mercenary group in the underground black market, it means that someone is eyeing their roots and wants the lives of their ninjas.
But when it comes to fighting, the comrade who dies is the winner.
I'm afraid that once they use chakra, strange insect-shaped lumps will appear on their bodies, causing them to explode to death.
"let's go."
Without giving these roots a chance to think about countermeasures, the insect man led four members and swooped down from the tree to hunt the ninjas in the roots.
"ah!"
From time to time, there were screams and explosions in the woods.
In just one minute, only the medical ninja who was in agony from the insect-shaped lump survived.
One of the two root ninjas was killed by the explosion, and the other died from the burning of the fire escape.
"Take him back and see if you can find any useful information."
Bug Man broke off the medical ninja's limbs and injected him with anesthetic so that he could not commit suicide under questioning.
"What to do with these brats?"
Pointing to the eight children who were unconscious outside the battlefield.
"Send it to a nearby town and let officials from Yuno Country make arrangements. It has nothing to do with us."
◎
The stronghold of Tang Country.
The interrogator, wearing an off-white windbreaker, a white faceless mask on his face, and an aster symbol embroidered on his back, walked out of the interrogation room.
When the insect man outside saw the interrogators coming out, he walked over and asked, "How are you doing? Did you get any information?"
"This root team doesn't know much. They just follow orders from their superiors and come to the Kingdom of Tang to steal children."
"Stealing children? To take them back and train them?"
Insect Man pondered.
"If this is the case, then it would be better to look for children with special physiques. After all, ordinary people will not be allowed to join in places like the root."
The interrogator analyzed.
"makes sense."
The insect boy nodded. The eight children stolen by this root team were just ordinary people. There was nothing extraordinary about them. They were worthy of being taken back and trained by the root ninjas.
"In this case, that guy is no longer useful, let's deal with it without leaving any traces."
It’s really impossible to guess Genbu’s purpose of coming to Tang Country to steal children, Bug Man said to the interrogators.
"Don't worry, our interrogation department is professional when it comes to handling corpses."
Watching the insect man leave, the interrogators reopened the rusty iron door and walked inside.
◎
In the cold laboratory, a dozen children stared blankly at the pale walls around them and the almost pale light above.
There were several medical ninjas wearing white masks around, injecting them.
Poof!
Poof!
Poof!
A large number of trees grew from the inside of these children's bodies, and blood was everywhere.
Outside, through the glass wall, Danzo watched indifferently what was happening inside, with the two guarding jonin following the root beside him.
Not long after, a medical ninja came out of the laboratory.
"Danzo-sama, the experiment failed."
"I know, just use a new batch."
"But if this continues..."
The medical ninja had a look of reluctance on his face, his head bowed deeply, and his body was already trembling slightly.
"I will give you two more months to cultivate an adult. As for the experimental subjects, don't worry, there are as many of these as you need."
Danzo's cold gaze pierced the medical ninja's heart.
"I'm sorry, Danzo-sama, I, I can't do it anymore. You'd better find someone else."
The medical ninja's voice was trembling.
Danzo glanced at him coldly and snorted in displeasure.
Just when he was about to say something, suddenly a large number of people burst open the iron door and rushed in from the outside.
The two Jonin guards beside Danzo quickly set up their formation to protect Danzo.
However, when they recognized the identity of the person who rushed in, they were all stunned.
He has the same attire as them, but has a different type of paint on his mask. He is an ANBU ninja directly under the Hokage.
With this number, there are at least four squads and one detachment of personnel.
Danzo narrowed his eyes and looked at the ninja leading the ANBU ninja.
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hiruzen had a gloomy face and without saying a word, walked up to Danzo and ordered the medical ninjas who were conducting experiments: "Stop the wooden escape experiment. You all can get out."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
After hearing the Hokage's order, these medical ninjas breathed a sigh of relief and quickly left here.
"Danzo, I should have asked you to stop the Wood Release experiment two months ago. Why are you still conducting it secretly?"
Hiruzen stared at Danzo with a cold face, his eyes filled with all-consuming anger.
Although the wood escape experiment was something he acquiesced to, it was done on the premise that the ninjas in his village volunteered.
Due to the slow progress and extremely low success rate, all Konoha ninjas who volunteered for the Wood Release experiment died during the experiment. Their records were also marked as having died in the line of duty, and their families would be compensated.
At that time, the wood escape experiment was stopped by him, the Hokage, and no one was allowed to conduct such experiments again.
Facing the furious Hiruzen, Danzo felt a little afraid in his heart, but he still said stubbornly: "I am doing this all for the sake of Konoha. As long as we can cultivate Wooden ninjas, those sacrifices will be meaningful."
"The Country of Rain, the Country of Fields, the Country of Soup, the Country of Tea... You have been sending root ninjas into these countries these days. You should know better than me what you have done."
At this point, Hiruzen sighed.
"Fortunately, there was no international dispute. I can forgive you this time, but I will not do it next time. I will clean up all traces and information."
"If you stop the Wood Release experiment at this time, you will definitely regret it, Hiruzen."
Danzo knew that Hiruzen was involved in this matter and that the wood escape experiment would completely end here, and he felt unwilling to do so.
Because he is not Hokage, he can only obey Hiruzen's orders. It is estimated that he will be monitored more strictly in the future.
But this won't be over.
It is of great significance to train a wood release ninja for the roots.
With Wood Release, one is not afraid of Uchiha's Sharingan, and can even control tailed beasts.
In that case... the position of Hokage will be within easy reach.
Danzo left with two root jounin, and Hiruzen showed a trace of melancholy on his face.
Danzo is such a mess.
When did he become so unscrupulous?
This is true for dealing with Uchiha, and it is also true for the current wood escape experiment.
Danzo, this is the last time I will tolerate you. I will definitely do it next time... Hiruzen looked at the direction Danzo was leaving and made up his mind.
◎
The next day, morning.
Hiruzen arrived at the Hokage Building's office early and smiled as he looked at the village shrouded in the early morning sun, which was a peaceful and peaceful scene.
When he thought about what happened to Danzo yesterday, he looked sad.
After looking out the window for a while, Hiruzen put away these distracting thoughts and started today's work.
After entering the work, a jonin and chuunin came to take over tasks suitable for them. Hiruzen was already accustomed to this kind of work.
When it was almost ten o'clock, the office door opened again.
Liuli walked in from outside.
Not long ago, a genin in the team she led was admitted to the intelligence class. Yesterday, he submitted his resignation letter to Liuli, saying that he would work in Konoha's intelligence class.
Liuli didn't stop him. Compared with the regular team, the work of the intelligence team was a little busier, but the security was very high, and the monthly salary was very stable.
In addition to the small number of people, the ninjas who serve in the intelligence class, even if they are trainees, have good benefits.
After all, special talents like this are quite popular in Konoha, such as medical ninjas.
"This is information about the new member of your team. If it doesn't fit, you can replace it with someone else."
Hiruzen handed Ruri a document that recorded information about the new members of her team.
Liuli took it indifferently and took a quick glance. It was a boy with a kappa head and thick eyebrows. His white teeth were shining brightly.
He seems to be a very physical guy.
"what do you think?"
"It's just him."
Liuli nodded. For her, there was no special need to lead any kind of genin, and she did not need to be promoted.
It was just because the work of the Uchiha Guards was too boring that he went out to perform tasks and find some fun for himself.
Taking the new member's information in hand, Liuli didn't stay here too long and headed towards the meeting point designated by her team.
"Teacher Liuli."
When we arrived at the meeting place, there were two children of about ten years old waiting here.
After seeing Liuli coming, he shouted happily.
Since another person went to the intelligence class, there were only two genin in Ruri's team.
"Xuanjian, hasn't the new one arrived yet?"
"No, I haven't seen anyone yet."
The genin named Genma shook his head, holding a 'toothpick' in his mouth.
"Probably on the way here, after all, there's still half an hour before the agreed time."
said the boy wearing a black ninja uniform and black sunglasses.
After waiting here for more than ten minutes, a boy wearing green leather tights and a kappa hairstyle rushed over.
"It's finally here. It really made us wait. I hope we won't be tortured to death later."
Genjian laughed maliciously.
"I remember this guy is..."
The boy wearing black sunglasses next to him pushed up the frame on the bridge of his nose, seeming to recognize the person.
The other party panted and stood in front of Liuli and the others, grinning, his white teeth shining with dazzling light.
"Hello, my name is Metkai. I will join this team from today. Please give me your advice!"
"..."
The teeth are so bright.
The green clothes are so weird.
This is the unified thought in the hearts of Liuli and the others.
"Uchiha Ruri, the jounin of this team, is also the captain. He is good at fire escape and taijutsu, but not good at genjutsu."
Liuli nodded. Judging from the body shape and stance, it was exactly as the intelligence said. He was good at physical arts.
"Eh?"
The boy named Metkai looked surprised.
He is obviously a ninja from the Uchiha clan, why is he not good at illusions?
very strange.
Genma came over and patted Metkai on the shoulder and smiled: "You will know later, the new guy. I am Shiranui Genma, please give me your advice."
"Please give me more advice."
Shine your white teeth again.
"I am Ebisu, and my interests are..."
The boy wearing black sunglasses began to introduce himself.
"Look at H."
Xuanjian added.
"That's right, I'm interested in watching H...uh...that's not the case! Why is it H?"
Ebisu's face turned red and he yelled at Genma, furious.
"that……"
Metkai interrupted the exchange between the two.
"What?"
"What is H? Is that kind of book very powerful?"
His face was serious.
"..."
Genma and Ebisu scratched their heads, how to explain this?
This guy's head... shouldn't be difficult to use, right?
"You three, don't discuss meaningless topics there. It's a rule for newcomers to fight me first."
Liuli stood not far away and said.
"Yes, Teacher Liuli."
Genma and Ebisu looked at each other with pity and walked aside to watch the battle.
"Do you want to have a duel? Or with a Jonin? It's just what I want, my youth is already burning!"
When he heard that he could fight against Ruri, a jonin, Kai did not show fear on his face, but was eager to try, and his heart was filled with excitement.
There are not many opportunities to spar with Jonin, so you must seize the opportunity and leave a good impression on the other party.
Liuli glanced at him, took out a shuriken from the ninja bag, and turned it on his finger.
"Then, let's get started."
After saying that, Liuli flicked his palm, and the shuriken spinning on his fingers was like a black lightning, shooting towards Kai's front.
Kai looked shocked, he was so fast that he couldn't dodge.
He hurriedly took out a kunai to block it. He felt a sharp pain in his arm, and he couldn't help grinning. It was obviously caused by the pain.
Is this the strength of a Jonin?
Just an ordinary shuriken has this kind of power.
Kai felt his body on fire.
"Konoha Tornado!"
Without hesitation, after blocking the shuriken, Kai used all his momentum to attack Ruri.
Genma and Ebisu looked at all this with dull expressions. The newcomer's speed and strength were very good, but for 'Ruri-sensei' who was like a demon in their eyes, he couldn't even be considered a master.
Not surprisingly, his combo kick was easily avoided by Liuli.
Kai was not discouraged. If the jounin let himself be hit so easily, he would not be a jounin.
Even though it's just a test, Kai plans to fight with all his strength.
"Open the door, open the door!"
In the surprised eyes of Genma and Ebisu, Kai's speed and strength increased again.
"What?"
Seeing that his attack was easily missed by Liuli again, Kai frowned.
So relaxing.
Although the other party was a jounin, there was always a very strange feeling lingering around him.
Next, no matter what kind of attack it is, no matter how much power and speed it breaks out, even the corners of Liuli's clothes can't be touched.
"Teacher Liuli, you are too mean."
Genma and Ebisu, who were sitting on the ground, looked at Kai's crazy attack and sighed at someone sitting on the stone pipe behind them.
"I just want to verify whether this guy is an illusion idiot as the intelligence said. It seems the intelligence is correct. But the one who opened the door... is the Eight Gate Dunjia? Interesting kid."
The person sitting on the stone pipe behind Genma and Ebisu was Ruri.
Except for throwing a shuriken at the beginning, she has been sitting here, watching Kai alone in the field.
"Damn it! Why can't I always get hit?"
Ten minutes later, Kai stared at Liuli in front of him unwillingly, panting and sweating profusely, feeling as if his hands and feet were cramping.
It was clear that the other party had not attacked yet, yet he became like this.
"No more, I give up and won't fight."
Kai couldn't hold on anymore, so he simply fell to the ground and gave up to Liuli.
"Thank you so much, but Teacher Liuli left two minutes ago."
Genma and Ebisu came over and helped Kai up from the ground.
"What?"
Kai was stunned.
Left two minutes ago? Who is he fighting with?
Looking ahead, there was nothing there.
How is this going?
"This is an illusion."
Xuanjian explained.
"Genjutsu? Don't lie to me, Ruri-sensei didn't use the Sharingan."
Kai looked unconvinced.
"No, it is indeed an illusion. The moment you blocked Teacher Ruri's shuriken with a kunai, you were already under the illusion. It is a special illusion that relies on the touch of an instrument to activate it. In the past, we also suffered a lot in this regard. After suffering a lot, he punched the air in the open space for a long time like a fool."
Ebisu said while pushing up his glasses.
"..."
Kai thought of Liuli's self-introduction again.
"But, I remember Teacher Liuli said that illusion is what I'm worst at..."
"If a Jonin is least good at taijutsu, can you win with your own taijutsu?"
Genma rolled his eyes.
Kai still looked puzzled.
"The so-called not good at it means that compared with physical skills and fire escape, illusion is more 'common'. When you see Teacher Liuli's fire escape in the mission, you will know why she said that she is least good at illusion. Don't take it seriously when the Jonin says he's not good at it."
Even if it is taken seriously, one cannot judge it with the eyes of a genin.
Failure to understand this can be very fatal.
"Okay, don't think too much. This is the sponsorship fee left by Teacher Liuli. Let's go have barbecue together."
Genjian comforted Kai, and then a thick stack of banknotes magically appeared in his hand, which was the money Liuli left for them to eat barbecue.
When he heard that he could go eat barbecue, Kai almost drooled at the corner of his mouth.
"Although Mr. Liuli looks cold on the outside, he actually takes great care of us subordinates. And only when he is full can he have the strength to complete the task."
Xuanjian took the lead and led the way.
Kai and Ebisu quickly followed behind.
BBQ! BBQ!
BBQ! BBQ!
——The Uchiha clan.
In the underground laboratory, Shiraishi was doing experiments with Bunsen burners and reagent tubes when he noticed movement behind him and turned his head.
"Didn't you go to meet the new members today? Why are you back so soon?"
The woman who appeared there with long black hair was none other than Liuli.
"Come back here and get some medical supplies."
Liuli skillfully opened a cabinet and rummaged through it for medical supplies.
Baishi put down the work in his hands, turned his head and looked at Liuli's back, and asked her: "By the way, Liuli, do you want to test it yourself?"
"Test? Test for what?"
A little unable to understand this kind of words, Liuli stopped what she was doing, wondering about this.
"Magic."
Shiraishi smiled and spoke concisely.
