bookmarkrole Chapter 69 The Undying Ninja
Chapter 69 The Undying Ninja
The next morning, a subtle atmosphere filled the classrooms of the ninja academy.
Iruka-sensei stood on the podium, her eyes visibly red and swollen, her voice much softer than usual. When Choji secretly popped a potato chip into his mouth, to everyone's surprise, Iruka simply sighed softly. "Don't do it again. I'll give it back to you after class." This unusual action stunned the entire class.
"Why is the teacher being so agreeable today?"
"Could it be that he's sick?"
The students whispered among themselves, only mentioning Naruto, who had attended the birthday party the night before. Satsuki and a few others remained silent, understanding the unspoken agreement.
In class, Iruka began explaining the three fundamental ninja techniques: the Transformation Technique, the Substitution Technique, and the Clone Technique. These are essential courses that ordinary students need to study diligently.
"Boring..." Zuo Yue listened with utter boredom, resting his chin on his hand. These basic ninjutsu were already well-known to the Uchiha children before they even entered the academy.
Naruto appeared to be listening attentively to the lesson, occasionally nodding in agreement. But unbeknownst to anyone, outside Konoha Village, one of his shadow clones had already begun its operation.
Although his physical body was still sitting obediently in the classroom, Naruto's mind had already flown far away.
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The humid air of the Land of Hot Springs washed over Naruto as he stood in his familiar but long-unvisited room, savoring the atmosphere of the hot springs, so different from that of Konoha. More than a year had passed since his last visit, but the Flying Thunder God Technique allowed him to traverse that distance instantly with a mere thought.
The sign for the "Dog's Bath" inn is still prominent, but the place has undergone a complete transformation. The spot that was once chosen casually is now entirely owned by the Hikari organization—no, to be precise, the entire street has become part of the "Ember" organization's territory.
"In order to earn operating funds for the organization, Nichi has completely turned into a businessman..."
Naruto gazed out the window at the neat rows of shops, each displaying the uniform sign for a branch of "Dog's Soup." As the leader of the organization, he couldn't help but feel a pang of shame—aside from bringing back the Uzumaki mother and daughter, he had practically been a hands-off manager. On the other hand, Hizashi had been tirelessly working to earn money for the organization.
Having obtained the power of the Nine-Faced Beast, Naruto decided to officially begin forming the members of the [Jin] organization. He activated the jutsu mark left on Hizashi, and soon, Hizashi, having deactivated the transformation jutsu and returned to his original appearance, appeared before him.
"Lord Menma." Hizashi bowed respectfully and began to report the recent situation to Naruto, who had transformed into Menma.
Firstly, regarding the construction of the organization's base, as requested by Naruto, the base, costing several hundred million ryo (excluding land price), is now complete and perfectly meets the criteria of being easy to defend and difficult to attack. The Uzumaki mother and daughter are currently relocated there. Furthermore, for the past year, Hizashi has personally been responsible for teaching Karin basic chakra usage methods.
Next came the follow-up report on key individuals under observation.
Deidara of Iwagakure has not officially defected, but the villagers' discontent with the explosive art of his Tsuchikage disciple is intensifying.
The whereabouts of Sasori, the puppet genius who disappeared from Sunagakure, remain unknown.
The Blood Mist policy of Kirigakure continues, and not long ago, Kirigakure Jonin Zabuza Momochi defected after his failed assassination attempt on the Mizukage.
"As for the last one, the whereabouts of the bounty hunter named Kakuzu..."
Hizashi took out a scroll from his pocket, which was densely covered with Kakuzu's recent transaction records and activity patterns on the black market.
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"boom--!"
A deafening explosion echoed through a forest somewhere in the Land of Fire. When the smoke cleared, the bodies of rogue ninjas lay scattered everywhere. Amidst this carnage, a strangely shaped middle-aged man was dragging a corpse dressed in the attire of a leader.
The man was shirtless, revealing grayish-green skin covered in eerie stitches. He wore a black mask that covered half his face, revealing eyes with terrifying black sclera and greenish pupils. The stitches writhed as he moved, sending chills down one's spine.
"Hmph, is that all?" He kicked the corpse at his feet. "No wonder it couldn't even fetch a decent price on the black market... But anyway, it was just a small fry to be dealt with on the way."
This statement, coupled with his unique physical characteristics, makes his identity quite obvious.
Kakuzu is like a living fossil in the ninja world.
This legendary rogue ninja from Takigakure was once sent by the village's higher-ups to carry out a near-suicidal mission: to assassinate the ninja god, Hashirama Senju.
There are many different accounts of the truth behind that battle. Some say that he did indeed engage in an earth-shattering duel with Hashirama, and was ultimately defeated by the Wood Release technique.
Some say he merely threw a shuriken from 800 li away, only to be hunted down for three days and three nights by Hashirama's wooden clone...
However, with the passing of Hashirama Senju, the truth behind this battle remains a mystery forever.
However, when Kakuzu miraculously survived the clutches of the God of Shinobi and returned to Takigakure with his wounded body, he was met with the label of "deserter" and a cold prison cell.
At that moment, boiling rage consumed Kakuzu's last shred of loyalty. He had willingly challenged the gods for the sake of his village, only to be met with betrayal and disgrace.
Hatred spread through his chest, eventually turning into a resolute action—he broke free from his cage, seized the forbidden arts of the village, and cruelly harvested the hearts of all the high-ranking members.
【Earth Grudge Fear】—This forbidden technique, stained with blood, became Kakuzu's eternity. By taking the hearts and chakra natures of others, he not only mastered five basic escape techniques at the same time, but also gained the ability to live almost forever.
Kakuzu, who has lived from the very beginning of the ninja village to the present day, has gradually come to understand the cruelty of eternity over the long years. Ultimately, on this endless path of immortality, he found the only partner who would never betray him.
money.
Those currencies do not age, do not die, and will not disappear in the river of time. Their eternal value perfectly matches the immortal life of the horn. From then on, he became the most feared bounty hunter in the black market—regardless of the good or evil of his target, as long as the reward is generous enough, anyone can become his prey.
"Good stuff is getting rarer lately... looks like I'll have to leave this country for now."
Kakuzu, dragging his spoils, hurried along the forest path, heading to the nearby gold exchange, pondering his next move.
"roar--!"
A deafening roar suddenly came from ahead, causing the leaves to fall in a rustling sound. Kakuzu looked up sharply and saw a giant white tiger leap out of the bushes, its huge, sharp claws slashing towards him.
"What the hell is that?!"
His fighting instincts awakened instantly, and Kakuzu unhesitatingly dropped the corpse in his hands, crossing his arms in front of his chest. The Earth Release: Earth Spear Hardening Technique immediately covered his entire body, and his skin instantly became as hard as rock.
"boom!"
The white tiger's claws slammed heavily onto Kakuzu's arm, producing a deafening clang like metal clashing. The immense impact sent him sliding backward several meters, carving two deep furrows beneath his feet.
"This is... a summoned beast?"
Kakuzu narrowed his green-glowing eyes, warily scrutinizing the strange beast before him. Before he could retaliate, the ground beneath his feet suddenly glowed with an eerie purple light, and complex sealing techniques spread across the earth as if they were alive.
Sealing technique?!
Kakuzu's extensive combat experience allowed him to make an instantaneous judgment. He exerted his strength and leaped backward. The moment his toes left the ground, the purple sealing array was fully formed.
"Eh-!"
However, a clear, melodious cry pierced the sky, and the crimson Vermilion Bird swooped down, its wings leaving a trail of fiery tails in the air. Before Kakuzu could even adjust his posture, he was slammed back to the ground by the intense heat of the impact.
"boom!"
Amidst the billowing dust, Kakuzu's body was deeply embedded in the ground. Feeling excruciating pain, Kakuzu struggled to prop himself up, simultaneously analyzing the situation before him.
These monsters are far stronger than ordinary spirit beasts. He might have a chance against one or two alone, but if he faced more at the same time... His gaze swept around.
As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, Kakuzu's face turned completely grim. His worst fears had been confirmed.
Not far away, a man draped in a long robe and wearing a fox mask stood silently. On either side of him, nine colossal beasts of various shapes were lined up: the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird that had fought earlier, the coiled Azure Dragon, the imposing Black Tortoise, the winding Golden Serpent, and several other humanoid figures with an air of otherworldly grace. Each one exuded a suffocating sense of oppression.
"Damn it..." Kakuzu's voice was squeezed out through clenched teeth, "You, a big shot like you, actually attacked me? This doesn't align with your principles, [Jin]."
A calm voice came from beneath the mask, "Kakuzu, the immortal ninja, I've come to welcome you as a member of [Jin]."
Kakuzu's pupils suddenly contracted. He slowly straightened up, the black stitches from the burns twisting on his skin and making a faint "creaking" sound.
"Heh..." Kakuzu suddenly let out a cold laugh, "It seems my price is much higher than I expected. But unfortunately, I'm not interested in your philosophies; right now, only money can attract me."