CHAPTER 211: CHAPTER 211: HIRUZEN, STOP ARGUING, IT’S MEANINGLESS!

Yamanaka Inoichi was the first to react.

"Sunagakure agreed to kill Sasori of the Red Sand?"

Tsunade nodded, asserting her presence—she couldn’t just hide behind Ryoho Kyohiko all the time; she had her own ideas. She tapped the table lightly.

"If Sunagakure were to regain Sasori of the Red Sand, or obtain Sasori’s research, it might not be a good thing for us. If we participate, we can grasp more intelligence."

In ninja combat, intelligence is crucial. And Sasori of the Red Sand. The Human Puppet technique was forbidden and violated human ethics, but it had indeed developed puppet techniques to the extreme. It had to be admitted that he was Sunagakure’s most talented puppet master. If they could understand Sasori’s puppet techniques, they would be full of confidence when facing other puppet masters from Sunagakure in the future. Know yourself, know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles.

Besides.

"The application of puppet prosthetic limbs in the medical field is enough to prove the role of puppet techniques. As a genius puppet master, Sasori’s technology would be of great help to us."

"We have a chance to get involved, and they are the ones who came to us. We can do them a favor by killing Sasori. Why refuse?"

When Tsunade said this, her gaze turned to Utatane Koharu. As a medical ninja, Koharu understood the situation of puppet techniques in the medical field better than the others.

Utatane Koharu nodded lightly.

"I think assisting in the hunt for Sasori is correct, provided we can get a part of the research."

To this, Sarutobi Hiruzen had nothing to say. Mitokado Homura was even more composed, sitting on the side without moving, as if he had zoned out completely.

Tsunade looked at Ryoho Kyohiko.

"No problem, Kyohiko will handle it."

The Amber Jutsu plus the Flying Thunder God—sealing a puppet and teleporting it away silently was simply too easy. And Kyohiko’s powerful perception could also see through the secrets of Sasori’s puppet techniques. The two combined was almost equivalent to being able to see through the secrets of Sasori’s puppet techniques.

Everyone looked at Ryoho Kyohiko.

Ryoho Kyohiko nodded lightly, then looked at Hyuga Hizashi.

"Hizashi-senpai, at that time, I will need your help."

Hyuga Hizashi nodded.

"Ready at any time."

Previously, Kyohiko had reminded him that the Hyuga clan’s Byakugan could not only be used in conjunction with the Gentle Fist, but could also be used to "observe the flow of chakra" to grasp the opponent’s ninjutsu application methods. Puppet techniques could also be seen through by the Byakugan.

Tsunade nodded lightly.

"Then, does anyone have any other opinions?"

It seemed she was asking everyone... but in fact, she was asking the three advisors.

Mitokado Homura chuckled lightly.

"The existence of us advisors is more to question and maintain the general direction of Konoha, not to have any opinion against you. We have no opinion on the matter of Sunagakure."

After he finished speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu silently nodded. At this point, what more could they say? At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Yamanaka Inoichi and Nara Shikaku, feeling a bit helpless in his heart. He understood. These three great clans, from today onwards, were probably going to completely side with Tsunade and Kyohiko. Although... for the village, this was not necessarily a bad thing, but for him personally, there was a sense of loss.

"In that case, Kyohiko, I will hand over the operation against Sasori of the Red Sand to your Anbu to be fully responsible. You must capture Sasori."

"Yes!"

***

The meeting ended.

Everyone left the meeting room. The three advisors went out and, at a quiet corner, Mitokado Homura slowed down and fell in beside Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Old friend, you took a loss on your side, didn’t you?"

"..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not speak.

Mitokado Homura spoke earnestly.

"The young people’s way of fighting and strategies are full of vigor and confidence. In comparison, we grew up in that special era, and our methods and policies tend towards stability."

"Hiruzen, stop arguing, it’s meaningless! For us old things, as long as we help stand the last watch, we will not have failed our teacher’s expectations."

Utatane Koharu was speechless.

"Homura, you see things so clearly!"

Previously in the meeting room, she had noticed that this old partner’s attitude was different. Now it seemed it was indeed so. Mitokado Homura already showed signs of leaning towards Tsunade and Kyohiko.

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t answer immediately.

Mitokado Homura was silent for a few seconds.

"I am not greedy for power. I just suddenly feel that one generation has its own responsibilities. We have questioned Kyohiko’s decisions before, but in the end, they all showed that his ideas were quite reasonable and far-sighted."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.

"In the end, it all comes down to strength!"

He was not a fool; he naturally understood the logic behind Kyohiko and Tsunade’s actions. Strength determines everything! The current Konoha was almost fearless of any ninja village in the entire shinobi world. Naturally, there was no need to be submissive.

It was just...

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, speaking his mind.

"A tall tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. Being too sharp-edged is not necessarily a good thing for Konoha. You know me, I am not greedy for power, but I want to pour a basin of cold water when everyone is full of vigor."

Mitokado Homura was speechless. Understand? Of course he understood. Sarutobi Hiruzen was telling the truth, but to say he didn’t have a little bit of selfish intention would be deceiving himself. However, the logic was sound. When everyone was keen on moving forward, there still needed to be someone who could make everyone think more calmly and composedly about the overall strategy. Otherwise, if thinking became overheated, decisions detrimental to future development might be made.

Mitokado Homura lamented.

"I’m leaving. The Ninja Academy has a pile of things to do right now, no time to even breathe!"

"These guys really want to work us old things to death!"

Watching his old friend of former days leave, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a sense of loss in his heart. He vaguely felt that this old friend’s mentality had undergone a certain change, gradually drifting away from them.

Utatane Koharu was silent for a few seconds. Then, she said with some worry, "Hiruzen, you have to hold on. Don’t lose our persistence!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled lightly.

"You don’t have to worry about me."

"Teacher entrusted Konoha to me. I will definitely stand the last watch well."

He wasn’t worried about Tsunade. Although Tsunade was radical, she still had sufficient rationality. Ryoho Kyohiko was a different matter! These years, his talent was too good, his growth too fast. He had an invincible heart, looking down on everything in the world. Even Madara couldn’t make this kid feel too much pressure; he was still calm and confident. A person without a sense of awe is more dangerous than Orochimaru!

What was terrifying was that once Tsunade stepped down, the next generation’s Hokage to take over would basically be Kyohiko. Among the new generation of ninjas, from top to bottom, no one could compare to Kyohiko. Once Kyohiko took office, it would be a huge test for both Konoha and the shinobi world!

***

"Kyohiko-kun."

"Senpai, let’s discuss it at the Anbu base."

"Alright."

Flying Thunder God. A moment later, Hyuga Hizashi opened his eyes and found himself in the dim base. Lights, desks, documents. Hizashi let out a breath of relief, then smiled.

"This jutsu is really convenient!"

Ryoho Kyohiko said.

"If senpai wants to learn, the original version might be difficult to learn, but with the secondary Flying Thunder God Formation Technique, after some research and practice, there is still a chance to master it."

The Flying Thunder God Formation Technique, although he hadn’t researched it for a long time, he had basically mastered it thoroughly before, and now it had reached the "Grandmaster" level. However, there was no point in him learning it. The theoretical basis of the Flying Thunder God Formation was that several people each took on different roles to reduce the difficulty of use, and then completed the release of the Flying Thunder God through cooperation. The logic was simple. The difficulty was... for everyone to achieve tacit cooperation to form the Flying Thunder God Formation. Theoretically, a shadow clone cooperating with the main body was the best solution, but if a person could directly use a clone to cooperate and perform the Flying Thunder God Formation, they could also complete the Flying Thunder God on their own. At most, it would be like when Kyohiko was at the "Beginner" level and needed some preparation.

The Hyuga clan was different. They could see each other’s chakra application status and might have some potential in this aspect. Thinking of this, Kyohiko mentioned it.

Hizashi was also very tempted.

"The Flying Thunder God Formation, can our family also learn it?"

Of course he wanted to learn the Flying Thunder God Formation!

Ryoho Kyohiko sat down and motioned for Hizashi to sit on a chair on the side.

"You can learn it. The purpose of this jutsu itself is that the more Konoha ninjas learn it, the better the effect."

He wasn’t so formal here. Apart from the desk and documents being more formal, everything else was very casual. Whatever was comfortable. Then, Kyohiko took out a list, his gaze sweeping over it.

"Hatake Kakashi, you, Hizashi-senpai, and also Aburame Shibi-senpai, plus me. What do you think?"

Hyuga Hizashi nodded.

"No problem."

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Previously, Hizashi was rather worried that Kyohiko would be more radical in his choice of people, but Kakashi, Aburame Shibi—the latter was a jonin, and although the former’s rank was special jonin, but... everyone knew that the current Kakashi had completely reached the strength and comprehensive quality that a jonin should have. What he lacked was just seniority, experience, and an official title. Such a combination, if charged for, would definitely require an S-rank mission to hire.

"If there are no problems, we’ll set off tomorrow."

"Alright."

***

In the northern part of the Land of Wind, on the border of the Land of Birds. Sasori of the Red Sand suddenly stopped, his gaze sweeping around, then said faintly.

"Come out! I’ve already seen you."

The shadows remained quiet. Sasori sneered and continued to walk forward. After a few seconds. Boom! A blaze of fire shot up. In the trap, a figure burned fiercely, then quickly fell.

"Success!" A person stood up.

The ninja hiding behind him, his pupils shrank, and he said in horror, "Be careful!"

"What?" Before he could react, a figure in a gray robe shot out from the ground. He wanted to jump away. The next moment, a pair of hands grabbed him from the earth. Then—Tch! Blood splattered everywhere. The hot blood sprayed, waking up the comrades hiding behind. They fled backwards in terror, preparing to fire a signal flare as they ran.

However, after running not a few meters, his body couldn’t move. His hand was already on the fuse, but he couldn’t move anymore, even slowly releasing the signal flare and dropping it on the ground.

"No! No!!" He was terrified. This... how is this possible! How can there be such a powerful puppet technique in the world that can directly control a living person?

His head turned stiffly. The figure from before appeared on a tree to the side. Sasori of the Red Sand’s gaze contained no emotion. He looked down at him from the tree, his two fingers manipulating. As his fingers trembled, chakra threads extended, and the person below began to dance.

He said in a low voice.

"A comical performance."

"What do you think the Puppet Technique is? This kind of living person control, my grandmother could do it easily, let alone me."

Then, the other party’s hands reached for his own head.

"No! Please!"

But... Crack! His hands used force! That person’s neck bone was snapped by his "own" hands. His hands tightly squeezed his throat. Half a minute later, Sasori retracted his chakra.

"Uninteresting!"

"You don’t even have the qualification to become my collection."

His fingers trembled, and the three separated puppets returned to his side, all unscathed. However, just as Sasori was preparing to leave.

"Sasori of the Red Sand, you are very good."

"Hmm?" Sasori stopped in his tracks and turned to look not far behind him. A person appeared from behind a tree, wearing a black robe, looking quite mysterious.

Sasori narrowed his eyes. This guy had appeared silently. Before the other party spoke, he hadn’t even noticed that the other was so close. A dozen steps! For a puppet master, this was a very sensitive distance. He has a background!

His hands were in his pockets, looking as if he didn’t care at all, but in fact, his hand was already on the puppet scroll. As long as the other party got a little closer, Sasori’s precious collection would break the seal and emerge. Sasori’s face was calm.

"Who are you?"

The other person chuckled lightly.

"No need to be agitated. Perhaps we should change to another place to discuss. This is their territory, after all. What do you think?"

Sasori narrowed his eyes. Change to another place?

He smiled.

"Sure. I’ll find a place. If you want to talk, then follow me."

Then, Sasori disappeared in a body flicker. The next moment, the hooded ninja also disappeared into the trees. A few minutes later, outside a cave, Sasori stopped. In front was a forest, and behind were bare rock cliffs. The terrain was distinct. Sasori stopped. After a few seconds.

"Are you testing the limits of my ability? I like your caution, but I hope you can feel my goodwill. I really have no intention of making a move on you."

"Then, first, shouldn’t you take off your hood so we can communicate frankly with each other."

The other person chuckled lightly.

"I can, but I suggest you also take your hand off the scroll in your hand. I don’t want your puppet to come out from behind me the next moment. Although I’m not afraid, it would ruin the friendship between us. Don’t you think?"

What friendship do we have? Sasori sneered in his heart. He was just curious what kind of existence the other party was, to have both Earth and Wood Style abilities at the same time. And by the way—if possible, he wanted to capture the other party for research and make him into his new collection. Wood Style... perhaps not powerful enough, but definitely very special.

He released the scroll and took it out of his pocket. At the same time, the other party also took off his hood, revealing the face underneath. Half of the body was fair, the other half was filled with black, with a Venus flytrap-like structure on his head. Sasori was momentarily at a loss. What kind of strange creature is this?

"Are you the product of ninjutsu research? What a ridiculous getup. I think, at the very least, it should be your master who comes to talk to me." Such a form was not like a normal person at all. Sasori tried to provoke the other party.

However, Zetsu just chuckled softly.

"I am indeed the product of ninjutsu. And the person behind me, you should have heard his name as well. If you are willing to join us, I am certainly willing to help you with an introduction."

"Oh?" The finger Sasori was about to use to attack immediately stopped. The person behind him, he’s heard of?

"If you’re planning on making me guess riddles, I might not have the interest."

Zetsu said faintly.

"I represent the will of Madara."

Sasori was stunned for a moment, then grinned.

"If you’re not joking, I am indeed very interested in him!"

Uchiha Madara. How many years ago was that? Can just anyone impersonate him? Even if it really is Uchiha Madara, he must be very old by now.

He grinned.

"Uchiha Madara should be very old by now, right? I can make him eternal, let him feel eternal life, eternal art!"

Zetsu chuckled lightly.

"If you can do it, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. After all, he loves a challenge the most."

Geniuses and masters always have some temper. He had anticipated this before, and the other party was not the first genius ninja he had contacted recently. Fortunately, he knew how to deal with it. As long as he mentioned a sensitive topic, he could easily provoke the other party. For example—

"Besides, what is eternal in your eyes is not worth mentioning in the eyes of a true powerhouse, as laughable as a pile of toys."

"Oh?" Sasori of the Red Sand looked up, his eyes filled with thick killing intent. "If your goal was to anger me, you have now succeeded. I will kill you and make you into my collection!"

Zetsu replied faintly.

"You don’t have that ability."

The next moment, chakra threads controlled ninja tools, closing in on him. In an instant, Zetsu had disappeared from his spot. Then, trees grew out from under Sasori’s feet, locking him firmly in place. But at the same time, Sasori also turned into a puppet. His real self had long been lurking, but Zetsu did not attack further. After initially using Wood Style to restrain the puppet, he appeared on a tree.

Although Sasori was in a state of lurking, Zetsu’s teleportation speed still made him feel very surprised. So fast! With just this astonishing speed, it would be difficult for him to catch the other party with his puppets. And... Wood Style. The Uchiha Madara of the past did not know Wood Style at all. Or was it... that guy had obtained Senju Hashirama’s cells through some means and used them to research and create this thing before him? Not impossible. Could it be that Madara is really still alive?

"Alright, I’m not good at fighting. If you want to fight, I might not be able to accompany you. But I know what you care about. Don’t you want to make your puppets stronger?"

Sasori’s gaze narrowed.

"You have a way?"

Zetsu nodded lightly.

"Of course, otherwise why would I come to you? I also know that the current Sunagakure is trying to find a way to deal with you. After all, your existence has greatly damaged their reputation."

"Just a bunch of idiots." Sasori didn’t put them in his eyes at all—even though the current Rasa also had "Magnet Release," which theoretically countered the Puppet Technique very well. But for Sasori, the so-called Magnet Release counter... he wasn’t afraid at all. The death of the Third Kazekage once made Sasori feel regret. The passing of this strongest Kazekage meant he no longer had the chance to verify whether Magnet Release or his Puppet Technique was stronger.

"As far as I know, Rasa recently went to the Land of Fire."

The Land of Fire... In Sasori’s mind, that figure suddenly flashed. That was the first time he had felt death and pressure!