Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 415 An Abnormal Choice

Chapter 415 An Unusual Choice

"Kakuzu's ability is most likely the legendary secret technique of Takigakure, Earth Grudge Fear." Jiraiya, as expected of someone who has traveled the world for decades, accurately identified the long-lost secret technique. "This secret technique is extremely cruel. It can increase one's lifespan and chakra attributes by taking the hearts of others. After using this technique, one can no longer be considered human. One's body is full of those black tentacles, limbs can be disassembled and used, and even life is linked to the number of hearts one has."

"Does that mean we have to kill him many times?" Kakashi, as expected of a god of understanding, immediately grasped the meaning.

"It's hard to imagine that such a secret technique exists in this world." Asma felt a chill run down his spine. He really hadn't seen enough of this stuff; it was beyond his comprehension.

“The other one is just as troublesome,” Naruto added. “That guy survived being hit by the perverted sage’s needles, Jizo, even though he was basically riddled with holes, he can still fight.”

"Huh?" Asma was shocked.

"After you disappeared, he was stabbed by Gamabunta, but unfortunately, he didn't have time to cut him in half." Jiraiya casually recounted a terrifying incident. "I could still hear that guy cursing you when I left, Naruto. You didn't deliberately steal his weapon just to strengthen their resolve to come, did you?"

Naruto can't reveal the real reason yet, but telling some ambiguous lies is a piece of cake for him.

"If he only has the ability to be immortal, it's rather useless. I guess he must have a secret technique to match it, but we just didn't find out today. I think his sword looks very special, maybe it's related to a secret technique. It's always a good idea to snatch it first."

This idea... seems really reasonable, doesn't it? I didn't expect Naruto to have considered so many things.

"So...should we report this now?" Asma asked the crucial question.

The gazes of the group all fell on Naruto. It wasn't that they wanted him to make the decision, but rather that he was currently the only one who could observe the movements of the two monsters.

"They've stopped their operation. They're about fifty miles from the Fire Temple. Even at full speed, they wouldn't reach it until dawn. Should we wait until daybreak and then take another look?"

Since Akatsuki's target was most likely Naruto, and the Daimyo was the one who would be implicated, they ultimately decided to wait and see how things went the next morning. They were actually quite helpless; their mission was to protect an important figure, but it was their teammates who ended up in trouble. How could they let the important figure they were protecting know about this?

Naruto spent the rest of the night in trepidation, yawning constantly, and got to work as soon as he opened his eyes.

"They haven't moved; they're still in the same place."

This news was somewhat reassuring, but it wasn't just the enemies who didn't play by the rules; their employers were too.

"There was a shower last night, and the daimyo means to wait until the moisture has mostly dissipated before climbing the mountain." The innocent Kanzumi brought "bad news."

So, nobles are really troublesome, pretentious, and don't like to do practical things.

While the veterans on one side were considering whether to launch another surprise attack, the others were already thinking about how to take advantage of the situation.

It's not impossible to make the daimyo realize his insignificance.

"Stop joking, that's absolutely unacceptable."

"Should I intercept and kill them?"

"I think you've been in a fight for too long, you're itching for a fight."

"The daimyo can't die now; the negotiations are still dragging on."

I know, Uncle Fugaku.

Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to let them see your name.

How so?

"Akatsuki's goal is Jinchuriki." This is just our consensus; the ninja world doesn't acknowledge it. Making the Daimyo realize the seriousness of the problem might hasten the alliance of the ninja world. Naruto, you don't need to appear so strong in front of the Daimyo; just act like you'd really be captured if you left your comrades.

"...Hiss, what a cunning plan, Tobirama. He's making the Daimyo think Naruto can't live without Konoha, right? That way, he'll be easier to control later."

"You guys aren't really planning to just take over the East Wind and nominate me as Hokage, are you?"

It won't happen that quickly, but the subsequent developments will definitely follow this direction.

Don't worry, Naruto, you're definitely going to be the Sixth Hokage!

"...You guys are really something... Even though Granny Tsunade is one of us."

"Tsuna will ultimately be bound by the past, unable to fully unleash his potential. You're different; you're supported by a completely new organization, one that doesn't discriminate based on blood ties. No one can hold you back. I also eagerly anticipate 'Hui' taking root and flourishing in Konoha."

"Sigh, you make it sound so easy. How exactly do we strike the right balance? The opponent is 'Akatsuki,' if we don't go all out, people will really die."

"Did you mark Hidan?"

It wasn't in time.

That would be very troublesome.

No matter how heated the discussions on both sides were, the march of time could not be stopped. The immortal duo, having rested until around 10 AM, finally set off again, their destination still clear: the Temple of Fire. Meanwhile, the daimyo was still strolling around the town at the foot of the mountain, seemingly planning to have a meal before continuing. This meant the immortal duo, moving at full speed, would indeed arrive just in time.

"We have to report this now." Asuma even considered rushing to the Fire Temple ahead of time to inform his old friend to prepare in advance.

"Sigh, I'll go tell them. You guys wait. I'll use the toads of Mount Myōboku as a cover and won't reveal Akatsuki's true purpose. Don't give anything away." Jiraiya left decisively. He still didn't want the Daimyo to know Naruto's sensory range, even though it wasn't real.

Logically, a daimyo should cherish his life, but... he was stubbornly determined to go to the Fire Temple today, even skipping his planned lunch. Upon hearing that a powerful enemy was approaching, his first reaction was to charge forward headlong. In his words, if they moved quickly, they could escape before the enemy arrived.

His nominal subordinates were helpless against him and could only keep him company, especially Hirozumi, whose pale complexion became even more pronounced. He was so worried that he cracked his whip faster, wishing he could teleport directly to the Fire Temple. However, when the carriage reached the foot of the mountain, the daimyo got off as usual. In the past, to show his piety, he had to walk the path leading to the mountainside.

Naruto believed the Daimyo had done it on purpose; he hadn't forgotten how troublesome this father and son had been. One had feigned ignorance and shut down Konoha's production and development lines, while the other had tried to seize Konoha's autonomy through a combination of carrot and stick tactics, but failed.

In short, they were not good people to the ninjas!