Chapter 164: Missing Pieces (1)

Chapter 164: Missing Pieces (1)

"Well done, Team Kai," Hiruzen smiles kindly at the three children after reading the report submitted by Kai. Smiling and being gentle is the least he can do to emphasize when his youngest son, Asuma, broke down in tears after ending the life of a Boar.

Pouting slightly, Kurenai huffs, "Hokage-sama, we have agreed that we want to be called Team 6 instead of Team Kai... isn't that right, Konan, Shizune?"

Shizune lowers her head and avoids glancing at Kai while Konan shoots their Sensei an indignant glare and nods. Just because he is right to some extent did not mean his team did not feel the least bit aggrieved by his actions.

"Oh? Is that right?" Hiruzen smirks in amusement and looks at Kai, "You better be careful. The next thing you know, you'll be pulling your hair after being troubled by your team."

"If I had to teach a white-haired aspiring novelist with a penchant for real-life cultured experience... sure," Kai snickers as Hiruzen groans while thinking of Jiraiya.

"Sensei, this is serious! You said you won't laugh about our decision!" Kurenai crosses her arm. It could be said that sharing their first 'blood' brought the trio closer inexplicably.

This is seen in various instances, the most prominent being the Three Sannins. Due to their instinctive knowledge and 'tell' of each other, even if Team Hiruzen has to go out on a mission after years, they would still have a certain sense of teamwork.

"I'm not laughing," Kai smiles, "But go on, pretend I'm not here."

Konan rolls her eyes. As if that's easy to pretend about.

"Hmm, jokes aside. Team 6 has done a great job discovering the enemy shinobi. I officially change this mission to A-Rank."

[Earned 14 SP.]

'Sweet!'

The trio's expression brightens, too.

Wanting to end things on a chipper tone for the children, at least, Hiruzen adds, "Keep on doing the good work, and Shizune-kun, you are supposed to be the Team's medic. Given the laws written by Tsunade, you cannot enter into direct confrontations before passing the combat assessment held for the Medics. I'm going to look away this time given... why you were even there for a mission but next time you may not engage the enemy and are supposed to be the support unless it's an emergency."

Shizune nods and apologizes, "This will not happen again, Hokage-same."

"Good. Now, I suppose your Sensei has a treat planned for you three, right? Just give us a few minutes and he'll be free for the day." Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

Taking the hint, the trio leaves while Kai sets another scroll on the table, "This is the corpse of that Iwa Nin. His poison was... too good to be from Iwa."

Taking a moment to understand the implications, Hiruzen chuckles wryly, "I never expected Suna to do anything under the table. That's how things are for us Shinobi... and we probably wouldn't have thrived to this extent if it wasn't so. I will have the research departments run tests but this will hardly provide any results."

Kai nods and then waits for Hiruzen to begin since the man wanted him to stay.

"On a confidential mission... Sakumo Hatake has gone missing. I felt you should be amongst the few who directly hear this news from me."

Kai stays still for a minute before his brows lock in a frown. He understands in a moment that Hiruzen would not describe the report on this situation given that it's a confidential mission S-ranked. So, all he can think of at the moment are two situations Sakumo is captured or he fucked up badly and decided to leave.

But given Sakumo's love for dad jokes and consequentially, his love for his son, the latter is a situation of low probability. So...

What happened?

'If he's dead then that's that. But Hiruzen looks certain that Sakumo did not die. Is it because of any lack of body or... did someone check in on this situation first-hand and come to this conclusion?'

Kai only mulls on it for a few seconds and then nods, "I see. Is there something expected from me?"

"When you have time, drop in on Kakashi," Hiruzen sighs, "You two may not be close... but you two certainly share a few villagers. And he looks up to you."

"He just wants revenge from me for snatching his club plushie back when he was three," Kai replies flatly.

"Yes, and stop snatching toys and candies from little children whenever you see them. It's giving you a bad reputation."

Hiruzen takes the scroll on the table and questions, "Did Jiraiya contact you about your request?"

Kai almost groaned out loud but shakes his head.

Just once he would like to enter Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave. He would plant SO many Hiraishin seals, damn it! He can't just be terrorizing the citizens of Shikkotsu Forest alone. He needs balance! All three legendary locations need marks of destruction made by his [Railgun].

"If he didn't," Hiruzen smiles, "Now is your chance to... ask him directly. He is back in town."

"He's back?" Kai instantly perks up after the mood-hurling notice about Sakumo's disappearance but as he said before those who kill must be prepared for their eventual death to a superior enemy. The best way to avoid such a fate, obviously, is to maintain superiority in strength.

"He is," Hiruzen sighs, "With a new set of problems this time. He became a... sigh, you know what, when you meet him, you will know for yourself."

"Good thing I'm still the matriarch of the clan or I would be dragged in on this with you."

"Hey, we had fun doing dangerous missions!"

"The fun was in the danger. Not the teammates," Tsunade shoots back.

"Sure, if you say so. The danger did involve some fun," Jiraiya smiles but it doesn't reach his eyes and then he scratches through that full mane of his, "I still cannot believe Sakumo-san could ever get caught."

"Is that all?" Tsunade sighs wearily, "I AM busy, you know? You can find Orochimaru if you only have to vent."

"I'm not just here for that. I heard that our teams have their own teams... Do you remember the first bet you won?"

Tsunade instantly perks up a lot more than she should have but... it's understandable. Training barely left her for more than enough time and since liquor is her staple drink, it's her gambling habits that took a great hit!

"Another bet?" Her gaze shines, not even needing to know that her original would want the same.

But she quickly controls herself, a little progression of her desire for gambling now that she has mastered Sage Mode to some extent.

"What do I get if I win?" She questions.

As if already having the answer ready, Jiraiya laughs, "The winner gets to choose a mission for the losers."

Tsunade blanks out for a moment and then scowls.

"Hey, don't look at me like that. It's Sakumo we are talking about. I dread the enemy who can possibly capture or conspire against him. And it would be even more dangerous if Sakumo somehow turned into a rogue shinobi. And..."

Adopting a stern expression, Jiraiya musters, "I and Sensei think that if the former is true then the only possible individual who could pull it off is Danzo... and that man has stayed silent for too long."

Tsunade frowns but is internally alert. She almost let out that Danzo isn't a problem anymore and there's a reason that man did not make any waves after disappearing.

'Damn... to think Jiraiya would end up so much in the dark...' she thinks internally. It's ironic, too, given how Jiraiya is Hiruzen's eyes outside the village.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya grumbles, "It's annoying, too."

"What is?" Tsunade cocks her head sideways.

Looking at the ceiling, Jiraiya mutters, "I just feel that we are missing something."

"Alcohol?"

"Not that. I mean about Sakumo... Orochimaru went to provide backup and his report is clear-cut. Can't talk about the contents of it unless you're in on the mission but... I feel that something obvious is missing. And it's not just this stuff. Amegakure is acting up..."

"Hanzo is a dangerous man," Tsunade hums, "You need to look out for yourself in there."

Dealing with Tsunade's sincere concern, all Jiraiya could do is give a defeated smile and sigh, That, too. But Ame, as a whole, is acting a little strange. Get this. The various leaders under Hanzo are actively making better infrastructure for the villagers. All the poisonous pipelines to produce poisonous substances for Land of Earth and Lightning are being removed."

This gets Tsunade by surprise.

"Did Hanzo get kicked in the head? The last time we fought, he hoped to get some Uzumaki slaves from Iwa and Kumo. We all know how that ended for the siege against Uzu."

"Let"s hope that's the case," Jiraiya purses his lips as the gnawing feeling gets annoying by the second.

***

Alternate Title: Gamble Hoe; The Disciples Rise; Team Kai no More; Dawn of 6

***

Read 30 advance chapters here

Patre /Fanharem

And do vote some powerstones~

Join the discord for well... uh, dead chat room~

https : //discord.gg/egdFUe5