Land of Rain, Six Paths City.
Ninja Sect office building, Leader's Conference Room.
"Sosuke-sensei, I want to accompany you as your guard to the border," Yahiko explained his intentions.
Konoha has negotiated with the Ninja Sect twice, coupled with the Shimura Danzo affair spreading throughout the Ninja World, the tense relationship between the Ninja Sect and Konoha is no secret within the sect.
Moreover, Mokgetsu did not specifically order the negotiation results to be kept confidential, so most of the mid to high-level members of the sect knew about Mokgetsu's upcoming battle with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Upon hearing this, Yahiko couldn't stay calm. After the battle, the Shimura Danzo incident would be closed, seeming like Konoha is using this as bait to take the chance to kill Sosuke.
However, Yahiko felt that with Sosuke's wisdom, he wouldn't miss Konoha's intentions. Agreeing to this condition must have its reasons, so Yahiko did not question the negotiation itself, but just wanted to go along.
Yahiko didn't doubt Sosuke's capability, but the world is unpredictable; who could guarantee what Konoha might do.
Though he was not as monstrous as Nagato, he was outstanding among the Jonin.
Before Mokgetsu could speak, there was a sudden knock at the door again.
"Come in," Mokgetsu looked towards the door and said.
Upon receiving Sosuke's response, Kakuzu pushed open the door and entered.
Seeing Yahiko, Kakuzu wasn't too surprised as he addressed Sosuke:
"Have you arranged the accompanying ninjas yet? Add me in; I want to see your full strength."
Sosuke's displayed confidence was too strong, and he personally said that when he defeated his opponents before, he hadn't even used 20% of his strength. Kakuzu was very curious about how strong Sosuke truly was.
Kakuzu was a ninja who had seen the world; he had even fought Senju Hashirama, the God of Ninjas, though he was easily defeated by Hashirama, but at least he had fought.
Now, Konoha's Habu Mokgetsu was revered across the Ninja World, with many ninjas believing he might become the second God of Ninjas.
Kakuzu was pondering, could Sosuke be the second Uchiha Madara? Purely in terms of power.
Mokgetsu was just about to speak when the knocking sounded again.
"Come in."
Nagato pushed open the door and hesitated for a moment upon seeing Kakuzu and Yahiko standing inside.
"Sosuke-sensei, I want to go to the border with you." Seeing neither spoke, Nagato closed the door and explained his intentions.
Nagato was the only one who knew of the connection between Sosuke and Habu Mokgetsu.
Nagato wasn't worried that Mokgetsu would lose to Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mokgetsu's random identities were all incredibly powerful, showing that his true strength must be far greater than what was portrayed by his identities.
Yet he felt Mokgetsu might be uncomfortable caught between the Ninja Sect and Konoha, which concerned him, feeling that something might go wrong, so he wanted to follow along.
Knock, knock.
Just as Nagato finished speaking, there was another knock at the door.
Yahiko and Kakuzu's expressions became subtle; could it be again?
"Come in," Mokgetsu said.
Konan and Roshi walked in together.
The two paused slightly upon seeing the three people standing inside the office, showing somewhat surprised expressions.
"You first," Roshi said to Konan.
They had met on the way to the leader's office, not coming together for something with Sosuke.
"Sosuke-sensei, I want to go with you to..."
Konan hadn't finished speaking before the four people in the office all showed strange expressions.
Konan couldn't help but look puzzled, subconsciously checked her clothes with a sidelong glance, and found them as tidy and clean as usual, with nothing unusual.
"It's not that I don't want to agree, but if you all leave, who will handle the affairs of the Ninja Sect?" Mokgetsu said with a helpless smile.
Two or three going is okay, but if too many of the mid to high-level leave, who will do the work?
Just as Kakuzu was about to speak, there was another series of knocks at the door.
Next, several founders of the Ninja Sect entered the office one after another, expressing their desire to go to the battle site with the leader.
Soon the office was crowded, leaving the last arrivals speechless.
"Let's do it this way, we'll draw lots to decide," Mokgetsu finally decided to draw lots to take four people along, then choose five ninjas from the Ninja Sect who have performed well to go see the world.
After all, these were the elders who had traveled the Ninja World with him; he couldn't favor one over the other.
Mokgetsu's decision received everyone's approval.
They also knew it was impossible for everyone to go; they were all the mid to high-level members of the Ninja Sect, it would be troublesome if all left.
The lottery method was simple: put numbers into a box for everyone to draw; only those who drew numbers one, two, three, or four could go with Mokgetsu.
"Sun, do you have any way to cheat?" Roshi wanted to cheat.
The reason was simple; he thought his strength was the greatest and if an issue arose, he could help Sosuke, seeing it as a good-natured cheat.
"I don't have that ability." Four-tails shrugged, indicating it was powerless.
It had no problem fighting, but it truly couldn't find a way to cheat in the drawing.
Roshi had to draw the lot honestly, but was pleasantly surprised as he was unexpectedly lucky today, drawing number four.
Additionally, Nagato drew number one, Kakuzu drew number two, and Ike Masaya drew number three.
"Ah, it's just bad luck today," Yahiko sighed, ruffling his hair.
He drew number five, just one off from the required number.
"You can cheer for Sosuke-sensei in your heart even if you're not at the scene," Konan comforted.
After speaking, Konan stepped in front of Sosuke and handed out a paper flower, "I wish you all the best, Sosuke-sensei."