RedX43
patreon
[Konoha] Chapter 238: What If You Need to Poop During Battle?
🕑 Added 2024-11-29 08:30:01 +0000 UTCOf course, Shūichi was still human—just one with a slight cheat.
The training tasks were left to his clones as usual, and he didn’t intend to apply the same methods as the Root.
The results needed to be effective, but they couldn’t come too quickly.
It was important to let the daimyō understand the challenges involved.
However, Shūichi didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he and Pakura went to the office in Tensai Village to draft a new version of the Will of Fire.
First came the ultimate goal:
The highest ideal and final objective of the Will of Fire is the unification of all ninja and the entire ninja world, creating a world of eternal peace without war.
This is the ultimate manifestation of the Will of Fire, a principle that must never waver.
The basic embodiment of the Will of Fire is that where leaves dance, the fire will burn eternal—to protect the young saplings of the Land of Fire, to safeguard comrades, and to defend the nation.
Then came the short-term goals:
Continue the three-year plan and the five-year roadmap...
Shūichi was completely absorbed in writing, even deliberately obscuring the roles of the daimyō and the Hokage.
There was no need to explain this much to his teacher, Minato Namikaze, but for the daimyō, a convincing narrative was necessary.
Shūichi had prepared for this—his strategy was to avoid escalating tensions between the daimyō and the Hokage for now.
When he succeeded as the Fifth Hokage, Konoha would naturally become the sharp blade in the daimyō’s hand, conquering and unifying the ninja world.
Of course, this was all just painting a grand vision!
Because everyone who truly embraced the Will of Fire would only follow one person—the one capable of achieving that ultimate goal.
And who could that be but him?
---
Over the following period, Shūichi frequently traveled between Tensai Village and Konoha, gradually guiding Tensai Village onto the right track.
Meanwhile, intelligence from the Land of Grass kept pouring in.
Although Shūichi didn’t involve himself in the details, he stayed keenly aware of the reports.
As he had anticipated, the newly appointed daimyō of the Land of Grass reduced funding for Kusagakure less than two months into his reign.
He then slashed the mission allocations, handing a portion of them to Iwagakure.
His ambitions were now laid bare.
The leader of Kusagakure, immediately sought assistance from Konoha.
According to the original plan, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, responded decisively, setting up arrangements both overt and covert.
Publicly, Mitokado Homura led two teams into the Land of Grass and Kusagakure.
In secret, Kakashi took an ANBU squad and, under the watchful eyes of Iwagakure, assassinated the newly appointed daimyō of the Land of Grass.
In March of Konoha’s 49th year, on Shūichi’s 16th birthday, a new daimyō was installed in the Land of Grass under the protection of Konoha shinobi—including Homura, Kusa's Leader, Kakashi, and others.
This time, the daimyō was an eight-year-old child.
Immediately after, the daimyō of the Land of Fire announced aid to the Land of Grass as an ally, marking the start of a deeper infiltration plan.
---
Land of Grass, Daimyō’s Residence
Stepping out of the daimyō’s chambers, Yamato approached Kakashi. “Kakashi, it’s been half a month since the third wave of attacks. Do you think Iwagakure has given up?”
Leaning against a pillar with a book in hand, Kakashi didn’t look up as he replied, “Have you ever heard something Shūichi likes to say?”
“‘You can’t play the thief for a thousand days, nor guard against one for a thousand days.’”
Yamato nodded. “Even if we protect the daimyō as carefully as we can, we can’t keep it up indefinitely. And Kusagakure doesn’t have the strength to safeguard the daimyō on its own.”
“So, when we withdraw, that’s when Iwagakure will strike again, right?”
“In that case, isn’t everything we’re doing now kind of pointless?”
Kakashi finally shifted his attention from his book and pondered. “That’s beyond our control. The key might lie with the people sent by the daimyō.”
Yamato scratched the back of his head. “Is that so?”
Kakashi was the squad leader responsible for guarding the daimyō, with his team composed entirely of ANBU members.
On the other side, the team sent by the daimyō of the Land of Fire, led by Mitokado Homura, consisted of regular Konoha shinobi.
Seeing Yamato’s confusion, Kakashi explained, “The people under Homura-senpai are likely here to establish stronger ties between the daimyō of the Land of Fire and the nobles of the Land of Grass. Once those relationships are in place, even if the daimyō of the Land of Grass is assassinated, it won’t matter much.”
“In that case, the cycle of assassinations will be broken.”
Yamato suddenly understood. “I see.”
However, looking back at the room where the young daimyō of the Land of Grass resided, Yamato couldn’t help but sigh. “In a small nation like this, even being a daimyō is incredibly dangerous.”
Kakashi silently agreed. Caught between two great nations, they’re nothing more than sacrifices in their struggles.
At that moment, Yamato looked up. “It’s the village’s ninja beast!”
He leapt to the rooftop, extending his arm.
An eagle descended from the sky, folding its wings as it landed on his arm.
Yamato quickly removed the intel tied to the eagle’s leg, fed it a soldier pill, and set it free.
“Kakashi!”
Landing beside Kakashi, Yamato handed over the report.
Kakashi had already put away his book. Taking the intel, he opened it, his expression immediately sharpening. “Yamato, alert everyone to prepare for an attack.”
Yamato was taken aback. “Is Iwagakure planning another move?”
Kakashi looked up. “No, this time it’s the Akatsuki.”
“One of them is a rogue ninja from Yugakure who stole the power of the Jashin deity. The other is a rogue ninja from Takigakure, reportedly from the same era as the First Hokage. He once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage. Both are S-rank wanted criminals.”
Yamato’s jaw dropped. “Someone who tried to assassinate the First Hokage? How old is this guy?”
Kakashi nodded. “The intel claims he’s immortal. This time, we’re facing formidable enemies. Make sure everyone stays on high alert.”
Yamato nodded solemnly. “Understood!”
He immediately leaped away to notify the others.
---
Meanwhile.
Having just entered the Land of Grass, the immortal White Zetsu, who was currently in control of the body, was chattering incessantly in Kakuzu’s ear.
“Kakuzu, this is the second time we’ve come to assassinate the daimyō of Kusagakure. And it hasn’t even been that long, has it?”
“At this rate, we might keep getting similar missions in the future.”
“I think we should just settle down here in the Land of Grass. That’d save us the trouble of traveling back and forth.”
Kakuzu ignored the chatterbox.
But White Zetsu was undeterred. “By the way, according to the intel, our opponents this time are Konoha ninja!”
“Last time, I almost got killed by them.”
Kakuzu cast a sidelong glance at White Zetsu. “I’m not you.”
White Zetsu cheerfully reminded him, “Overconfidence is a ninja’s worst enemy.”
“Based on the intel, our strongest opponent this time is someone named Kakashi Hatake, the son of the White Fang of Konoha. He’s now known as Konoha’s Lightning Fang.”
“He’s from the same generation as Shūichi Hoshita. They say he became a Jonin at 12—another genius!”
Kakuzu snorted. “If you’re afraid of getting killed by Konoha’s shinobi, then don’t get involved.”
White Zetsu chuckled. “Hey, even though I sometimes feel like killing you, we’ve been teammates for a few months now. I can’t just let you complete the mission alone—that’d go against my work ethics.”
Kakuzu decided it wasn’t worth responding anymore.
The two traveled at a leisurely pace, finally reaching the daimyō’s residence in the Land of Grass by nightfall.
White Zetsu immediately started complaining about wanting dinner.
Kakuzu snorted. “Finishing the mission first will suffice.”
White Zetsu, however, was already walking toward a ramen shop. “How can you complete a mission on an empty stomach? Don’t be so dull, Kakuzu!”
“Eating is essential! Only with a full stomach can I offer the most splendid sacrifices to Lord Jashin.”
Taking a seat, he loudly ordered, “Two bowls of deluxe ramen!”
Then, turning to the doorway where Kakuzu stood, he added, “Hey, this one’s on me.”
Kakuzu internally scoffed. This guy is completely insane.
Despite their repeated missions together, Kakuzu still couldn’t figure him out.
There were times Kakuzu had shown no mercy, yet he hadn’t been able to kill White Zetsu. Instead, one of his own hearts had been destroyed by the guy.
It was one of the reasons Kakuzu hadn’t outright turned against him.
He had to admit, Kogami Kohai’s eccentricity made him a surprisingly fitting partner.
---
Half an hour later, the two finished their ramen and headed toward the daimyō’s residence.
On the way, White Zetsu suddenly remarked, “Hey Kakuzu, should we go to the bathroom first?”
Kakuzu looked confused.
White Zetsu elaborated, “What if you need to poop in the middle of a fight?”
Kakuzu froze, then his fists cracked audibly. “You’re asking for death, aren’t you?”
White Zetsu quickly laughed it off. “Hahaha, just kidding. Don’t take it so seriously.”
Since regaining control of this body, White Zetsu was relishing the ability to eat and wanted to take the opportunity to experience the feeling of… well, pooping.
After all, when Lord Shūichi was in control, he hardly ever ate.
And if you don’t eat, how can you poop?
This was, in his view, a very profound question.
---
In the core area of the daimyō’s residence, Yamato appeared beside Kakashi. “They’re here. Just like the intel said—two of them!”
Kakashi nodded. “Alert the others and prepare.”
“Remember, protecting the daimyō is our top priority.”
“Don’t take unnecessary risks just to take them down.”
Yamato nodded. “Understood!”
With that, he disappeared.
At the same time, White Zetsu and Kakuzu reached the gates of the daimyō’s residence.
The surroundings were eerily quiet, with few lights. The buildings loomed like beasts hidden in the darkness.
“Should we just break in as usual?” White Zetsu asked, scanning the area.
“It seems we’ve been discovered. The inside is probably full of traps by now.”
Kakuzu snorted. “If it weren’t for you...”
White Zetsu quickly replied, “Hey, Kakuzu, you ate too, didn’t you?”
Ignoring him, Kakuzu eyed the gate ahead. “Focus now, or you might end up dead.”
It wasn’t often someone treated him to a meal, so he figured he’d give a warning.
If he really died, it wouldn’t be his fault.
With that, Kakuzu stepped forward and delivered a powerful punch. With a loud crash, the gate shattered into pieces.
“This guy is so rough—completely different from Lord Shūichi’s style,” White Zetsu muttered to itself, gripping his scythe and following after him.
Without Lord Shūichi, he couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy.
---
In the darkness, Gekko Hayate, who had been concealed, caught sight of the familiar figure of Kogami Kohai and was inwardly startled.
“So it really is him. That supposed death was fake, and he managed to escape from Lord Shūichi’s experimental base.”
“This time, no matter what, I’ll make sure he’s completely eliminated!”
“But...”
His gaze shifted to Kakuzu. Gekko Hayate gripped the large blade, Samehada, strapped to his back.
“According to the intel, this guy is the real threat. He needs to be taken out first.”
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Suddenly, a volley of shuriken flew out from the shadows, aiming directly for Kakuzu and White Zetsu.
Kakuzu’s figure flickered, easily evading the attack.
White Zetsu shook the rope in his hand, and the twisting, winding cords wrapped around his body, deflecting the incoming shuriken.
At that moment, the lights turned on. White Zetsu was about to move when he found himself unable to budge. Looking down, he muttered, “So it’s the Nara clan’s Shadow Imitation Technique.”
Before he could finish speaking, there was a sharp sound—thud!—as a large blade pierced through his back, skewering him completely.
It was a tall Konoha ninja who had successfully launched a sneak attack.
White Zetsu lowered his head slightly. “Hey, you should have intel on me, right? Attacks like this won’t work on me.”
The Akimichi ninja responded, “Of course, we know that. Which is why we’ve come up with another method.”
A figure appeared in front of White Zetsu. “I’m the one who’s here to deal with you.”
White Zetsu glanced at the ninja, who formed a peculiar hand sign. “This is... the Yamanaka clan’s...”
The next moment—Mind Body Switch Technique!
---
At the same time.
After dodging the shuriken, Kakuzu suddenly sensed danger and immediately tilted his head.
A split second later, the bandage-wrapped blade, Samehada, smashed into his shoulder.
Boom!
The ground cracked open, and Kakuzu’s body sank.
Gekko Hayate appeared behind him, his expression shocked. “This guy’s body... is it Earth Style Hardening Jutsu?”
“But...”
The bandages unraveled, revealing Samehada’s true form. Blood spurted from Kakuzu’s shoulder.
Samehada wasn’t designed for cutting—it was for shredding, and it could absorb chakra to nullify jutsu.
However, almost simultaneously, Kakuzu countered with a powerful kick.
Bang!
Gekko Hayate was sent flying, crashing through a wall with a thunderous sound.
After kicking Hayate away, Kakuzu immediately retreated, his movements swift.
The shadows on the ground were creeping toward him.
He was well aware of the Shadow Imitation Technique.
Meanwhile, White Zetsu was recklessly swinging his scythe as he charged toward him.
“This idiot... got himself controlled so easily.”
Kakuzu felt a surge of frustration but continued to dodge while analyzing the situation.
He noticed that the one controlling White Zetsu wasn’t using the Shadow Imitation Technique. Instead, it was the unconscious person lying beside the Nara clan ninja.
“So it’s the Yamanaka clan’s secret technique?”
Kakuzu quickly pieced things together. “And that guy earlier—he appeared behind me without being detected until the moment of attack. Some kind of invisibility ability... seems like Konoha has a clan with that kind of skill.”
Living long had its advantages—he knew a lot and had seen even more.
At that moment, Gekko Hayate launched another assault from the side. Three figures charged at incredible speed, leaving behind afterimages.
The Dance of the Three Fiery Suns!
Even Kakuzu couldn’t completely avoid such an attack.
He swiftly dispatched two of Hayate’s clones, but the third strike hit nothing.
Then, in rapid succession, he was ensnared by the rope from White Zetsu’s scythe and immobilized by the Shadow Imitation Technique.
In the next moment, Gekko Hayate’s katana plunged straight into Kakuzu’s heart with a sickening squelch.
(End of Chapter)
Comments
Sil3nt
TFTC!
