Chapter 173 : Done! [3/4]
Chapter 173: Completed! [3/4]
Konoha, Anbu Base.
[Writing this, I hope readers will remember our domain name. Reading Taiwan novels is super smooth.]
"Senior, how should I take care of this kind of Ninja Bird?"
"Crows are very smart; they can understand basic commands and expressions. You just need to pay attention to—"
Aoba Yamashiro patiently taught this junior named Torikai Takumi.
The current Torikai Takumi was only fourteen years old.
Like him, the other boy had been caring for and raising Ninja Birds since childhood. So, when the Ninja Bird proposal was put on the agenda recently, he was quickly recruited into the Anbu.
As they were speaking, suddenly, a crow was summoned away via Summoning Jutsu.
It was soon released from the summoning and returned to the training ground.
The difference was—
Attached to its leg was a small bamboo tube containing a note for transmitting information.
Aoba Yamashiro immediately took it off, and his expression turned solemn after a quick glance.
"Takumi, you take care of them."
"Yes!"
After Torikai Takumi responded, Aoba Yamashiro used Body Flicker to leave.
A moment later, in the Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi held the intelligence note, his face darkening by several degrees, but as he looked up, his brow smoothed out.
"It is indeed a pity we didn't capture the enemy, but at least we stopped them from returning to the Hidden Mist Village. Furthermore, it verified the effectiveness of our new plan."
He looked toward Inoichi.
"How is the construction of your Intelligence Hub coming along?"
"We are still testing, but currently, it seems we can transmit information directly to Ninjas within the barrier through the Konoha Barrier."
Inoichi Yamanaka replied.
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded appreciatively. "Not bad."
Although the range was limited, it could potentially turn the tide of battle during a critical moment of enemy invasion.
"If it's only used for transmission within the village, it's essentially unnecessary. I still hope to further expand the range in the future."
Inoichi Yamanaka was still not quite satisfied.
If it was limited to the village, its effect would be too weak; it needed further optimization.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the intelligence, his brow furrowing tightly.
The Ninja who acted in the shadows—
Could it be that Black-Robed Man dressed as an Anbu?
Who exactly is that guy?
In the outskirts, a group of people sat in the woods for a temporary rest.
Masahiko glanced at the panel in front of him.
On the way back to the village, he had received a message notification—
["naruto: prequel" Episode 21 filming completed!]
[Editing in progress—]
[Video production successful!]
[Total screen time: 9 minutes 49 seconds. Shot percentage: 46.7%]
[Prompt: —]
However.
When the news came out, it was already past eight o'clock, and the message details wouldn't be viewable until tomorrow.
Masahiko withdrew his gaze and focused on what was ahead.
"Senior, who do you think was the person acting in the shadows?"
"The same person who seriously injured Asuma before,"
Kakashi replied.
After hearing this, Masahiko pondered for a moment and said, "With the current intelligence, it seems impossible to be certain? But we can treat him as a hypothetical enemy—
What is his purpose?"
"I'm not sure. I can't understand the logic behind many of his actions."
Kakashi frowned. "As a possessor of the Shikotsumyaku, he was previously involved in Konoha's affairs, making people suspect he was a Konoha Ninja. But now—"
He thought for a long time.
"I suspect he might be one of Orochimaru's people."
"During the time the Kaguya clan was wiped out, Orochimaru had already defected, and his whereabouts couldn't be verified—if it's him, what would be the point of Orochimaru helping the Hidden Mist Anbu?"
Masahiko asked.
Kakashi shook his head and remained silent.
This was also what he couldn't figure out.
He vaguely felt as if there were a thread connecting these events, but he could never grasp its trail.
"Maybe that side knows some news,"
Masahiko whispered.
Kakashi looked at Masahiko, his expression slightly startled, then he nodded gently. "We can try."
Land of Rivers.
—
A Ninja Bird descended silently from the sky, winding its way into an underground cave.
A moment later.
Inside the cave, it flew out and soared away.
Beneath the cave, the tunnels twisted and turned, with a special structure branching into many paths, making it difficult to find the correct route immediately.
All the way down—
"My Lord, this is the newly obtained intelligence."
"Mm."
" "
Danzo took it.
After a quick scan, he frowned slightly and then handed the intelligence scroll to the person beside him.
"My Lord, it seems they have redeployed their intelligence network. At least those routes on the border have been secured."
Toge, who was on the side, said.
"Mm."
Danzo nodded.
The process wasn't written very clearly in this intelligence, but judging from the scale of the battle and the personnel stationed in advance, Konoha must have received the news long ago.
To be able to rebuild the intelligence network in just a month or two, this capability was quite impressive.
He said indifferently, "I expect Masahiko did something again."
Afterward, Danzo looked at Toge.
"How is our training?"
"Everyone can now use the Water Severing Wave in groups of three or four. In addition, the Hard Vortex Water Blade can already be used proficiently. We are still attempting the Eight Gates and Breathing Techniques."
Toge replied.
Danzo nodded slightly and said, "Continue practicing. This capability has great prospects. Strive to have everyone master it."
"Yes!"
After Toge responded, a look of hesitation appeared on his face.
Danzo glanced at him and said, "Since Hiruzen didn't hide it from him that day—it means there will be further contact in the future. We just have to wait."
"Yes!"
Just as Toge was about to leave—
Danzo called out to him.
"Tell them to stay hidden and be wary of the surrounding Anbu and intelligence personnel. We have just gained a foothold here; we cannot let anyone infiltrate."
"Yes!"
The nights in Konoha were livelier than before.
In front of the theater, several stalls related to stories and cards had been set up. A middle-aged man with white hair walked by, finding every stall quite novel.
"Huh? Why is it this Ninja Card again? I don't want it—can I return it?"
"Little friend, you can exchange it with others, but you can't return it."
"Fine."
Naruto took it back dejectedly.
—
Looking at the snacks in his hand and this duplicate card, he regretted it immensely.
If he had known, he wouldn't have bought it!
"Dammit, dammit!"
Naruto flailed his arms in annoyance, but he still took his things and hurried home listlessly.
What annoyed him most wasn't the card, but that Sasuke had been a bit strange lately.
He felt—
The other boy seemed to have changed somehow, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"Sigh!"
Naruto let out a long sigh. When he reached his front door, he glanced to the side and was suddenly stunned.
Sasuke was bringing out a large pile of sandbags from his Room.
"What's this?"
"I don't need them anymore. I'm planning to throw them away—if you need them, you can have them."
Sasuke picked up the sandbags.
Naruto was stunned for a moment, then his face broke into a smile. "I want them! How do you use these?"
"Hang them up, hit each sandbag, then dodge and counterattack. It's very simple."
Sasuke replied indifferently.
Naruto nodded repeatedly and took them excitedly.
"Then move them yourself."
Sasuke put one hand in his pocket and walked downstairs. "I still have to go eat."
"Wait for me! I haven't eaten either!"
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