Chapter 667: Konoha Ninja Clan Dispute
Six Paths City, Land of Rain.
"That's strange. Why is Leader Kakuzu standing near the main road with his people?"
Residents entering and exiting the city looked curiously at Kakuzu, who stood by the roadside. Of course, they were not unfamiliar with this second in command of Ninshū.
At that moment, a team that looked like a ninja squad appeared on the main road.
The leader was a ninja wearing an Amegakure forehead protector, but the team members behind him did not wear any forehead protectors.
Seeing that the people he was waiting for had arrived, Kakuzu smiled and went forward to greet them, shaking hands with the leading Rain ninja.
"Shirakawa, welcome back," Kakuzu said with a smile.
Shirakawa was actually Rōshi, who had gone to the Land of Birds with him to develop Ninshū. However, to avoid revealing his identity, Rōshi used a false name.
When Kakuzu returned to Ninshū, there was still some work left in the Land of Birds. But Kakuzu had been worried that something might happen to Ninshū, so he returned early and left all the finishing work to Rōshi.
That was why Kakuzu had come to greet Rōshi after learning that he was returning. After all, Rōshi had helped him with a great deal of work.
Otherwise, given Kakuzu's position, he would not have needed to personally go outside the city to pick someone up.
The Ninshū ninja behind Kakuzu curiously sized up the ninja behind Rōshi.
They knew that these people were also Ninshū ninja, ninja from the Land of Birds branch of Ninshū.
The reason they were not wearing forehead protectors was that the Land of Birds Ninshū ninja did not have their own yet.
Someone had suggested that the Land of Birds Ninshū ninja should also wear the forehead protectors of the Land of Rain, but the leader had directly rejected it.
In the end, after a meeting, it was decided that a new forehead protector belonging to Ninshū itself would be designed, and they would no longer use Amegakure forehead protectors.
So until the Ninshū forehead protector was designed, the Land of Birds Ninshū ninja would not wear forehead protectors.
The Land of Birds Ninshū ninja were also sizing up the Ninshū ninja wearing Amegakure forehead protectors. However, their gazes carried a hint of respect, a reverence for pioneers and seniors.
"Let's go. I'll take you to Sōsuke. You can report your work first."
Rōshi nodded.
After personally practicing Ninshū's ideals in the Land of Birds, Rōshi had officially joined Ninshū and become a Ninshū ninja not long afterward.
Watching a country move in a better direction through his own efforts elevated Rōshi as a person. It made him feel that his previous life had been so empty and meaningless.
Led by Kakuzu, the group headed toward the Ninshū stronghold.
"What has been happening recently? Why does Six Paths City feel a little deserted?" Rōshi asked in confusion while walking along the main road of Six Paths City, looking at the somewhat sparse crowd.
While the Third Shinobi World War was raging, Sōsuke had successfully reorganized the Land of Rain, making it peaceful and stable.
The Land of Rain was already located at the convergence of three great nations and possessed excellent geographical conditions. After Sōsuke's reorganization, it instantly became the center of the nearby countries, and both its population and economy soared.
Six Paths City, where Ninja Master Sōsuke personally presided, was even considered the safest place in the Land of Rain. From the powerful and wealthy to commoners, everyone wanted to buy a house and settle in Six Paths City.
Because of that, although Six Paths City had been built only recently, in terms of prosperity, it was no worse than the capital of the Land of Rain.
"Konoha sent Orochimaru to negotiate some time ago, and we broke off the talks. They probably think a war is about to begin," Kakuzu replied calmly.
To be honest, he could understand the people who had left.
After all, the other side was the victor of the Third Shinobi World War, the strongest Ninja Village in the current Ninja World.
Not to mention ordinary citizens, even Kakuzu himself, as the second in command of Ninshū, had no confidence and could not determine the future of Ninshū and Six Paths City. It was just that Kakuzu was not afraid of death.
Dying for ideals and beliefs was better than being backstabbed by trusted companions.
"Konoha…" Rōshi's expression became solemn.
He was powerful and had a special identity, so he knew many of Iwagakure's secrets and understood the strength of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
The strength of the Five Great Ninja Villages was hard for ordinary ninja forces to imagine.
Even Iwagakure, with more than ten thousand active ninja, remained cautious when facing other great Ninja Villages. Even so, it still became a defeated nation in the Third Shinobi World War.
"Leader Kakuzu, is our Ninshū going to war with Konoha?" a Land of Birds Ninshū ninja following Rōshi could not help asking.
Kakuzu had played a decisive role in the emergence of the Land of Birds Ninshū. Most of the current ninja of the Land of Birds Ninshū were familiar with Kakuzu, so they asked directly.
"Not necessarily. But even if we do go to war, don't be too pessimistic. It will be fine," Kakuzu said, reassuring them with a smile.
"This isn't my opinion. It is the instruction of Supreme Leader Sōsuke," Kakuzu added.
When Kakuzu said this, the ninja from the Land of Birds immediately felt much more at ease.
They had never met Sōsuke in person, only seen photos and portraits of him.
But they had heard of Sōsuke's deeds. They felt that if it was the legendary founder of the new Ninshū, then he should truly have a way.
After arriving at the Ninshū stronghold, Kakuzu arranged places for the Land of Birds Ninshū ninja, while he himself went to Ninshū's office building and entered the leader's office.
"The initial establishment of the Land of Birds Ninshū has been completed…"
Rōshi first reported on his work without asking about Konoha.
Mugetsu listened, thought for a moment, and then asked, "What are your thoughts on the future development of the Land of Birds Ninshū?"
"Strengthen the promotion of Ninshū ideology, let more people understand Ninshū ideology, thoroughly investigate the ninja forces in the Land of Birds, distinguish between friends and enemies, clear out enemies affecting public order within the Land of Birds, and strengthen public order construction…" Rōshi replied after a brief moment of thought.
He referenced some of Sōsuke's measures for reorganizing public order in the Land of Rain, while also including some of his own ideas from working on the ground in the Land of Birds.
Although the Land of Birds did not have a Ninja Village, it did have ninja forces. In the current Ninja World, there were very few places completely devoid of ninja.
Where there were ninja forces, there would be different ideologies and conflicts.
Rōshi believed they could make use of the conflicts between different forces to gain as much support as possible, thereby strengthening Ninshū's power.
"It seems you gained a lot from this trip," Mugetsu said with a satisfied smile.
Practice was the sole criterion for testing truth. Rōshi being able to maintain enthusiasm and think carefully after truly taking action showed that he genuinely supported Ninshū's ultimate ideal.
This was an unexpected pleasant surprise. Previously, Mugetsu had chosen to shelter Rōshi largely because of the Tailed Beast.
Now it was different. Even if Rōshi did not have the Four Tails, Mugetsu would still confront Iwagakure for Rōshi.
What Iwagakure rogue ninja? This was a great warrior of his Ninshū!
"You really have changed a lot," even the Four Tails within Rōshi could not help exclaiming.
The former Rōshi was taciturn and often got into arguments after only a few words. But now, Rōshi could passionately report for half an hour.
"But it's very good." The Four Tails gave a thumbs up.
The Four Tails was not sure how others viewed it, but it liked Rōshi's change very much.
The current Rōshi gave it the feeling that even if he were placed in Ninshū during the era of the Sage of Six Paths, he would be highly valued by the Sage of Six Paths.
Rōshi returned a thumbs up to the Four Tails in his inner world. He was also very grateful for the chakra support the Four Tails had always provided.
"Leader, I heard we have a conflict with Konoha now. Do you need me to make an appearance in the areas surrounding Konoha? It should be able to tie up some of Konoha's resources," Rōshi asked.
He was not trying to fight Konoha in the Land of Fire by himself, but rather to use his Jinchuriki status to make Iwagakure and Konoha argue.
Konoha and Iwagakure had only just signed a peace treaty, and it had ended with Iwagakure's defeat, so it was unlikely that the two sides would go to war again in the short term. However, Jinchuriki were crucial to Ninja Villages, so Iwagakure would definitely still take action, just not in the form of war.
Although Rōshi did not have a good impression of Iwagakure, it was still the Village where he had grown up. He did not want to go back, but he also would not deliberately cause wars between other Ninja Villages and Iwagakure.
"No need. Just focus on your work. Don't worry about Konoha's matters," Mugetsu said, shaking his head.
Kakuzu followed up and said, "If the sky falls, Sōsuke, the tall one, will hold it up. Don't worry yourself silly."
Rōshi's idea was feasible, but it would put him in danger.
Compared to Rōshi, Kakuzu was still more willing to trust Sōsuke. After all, Sōsuke was the man who had almost instantly defeated him.
Of course, trust was one thing, but Kakuzu was still quite curious about what trump card Sōsuke had.
If he wanted to resolve the threat of a Great Ninja Village with sheer strength, then Sōsuke would need to have at least the strength of Senju Hashirama.
Rōshi finally nodded and walked out of the office with Kakuzu.
Kakuzu suddenly remembered something and said to Rōshi, "I'll take you to see something good. Something you've definitely never seen before."
Rōshi had originally wanted to rest and read, but hearing Kakuzu say that, he became a little interested.
Perhaps it was because they were both rogue ninja, or perhaps it was because of the time they had struggled together in the Land of Birds. Their acquaintance had not been long, but they had now become good friends.
Then Kakuzu took Rōshi to Sasori's laboratory.
When they arrived, Sasori had just finished surgery on a ninja with a severed arm and was checking for adverse reactions, while Nagato helped record the data nearby.
"Make a fist. Swing it out forcefully. Gather chakra in your palm. Perform Wind Release chakra nature transformation…" Sasori instructed.
Rōshi's eyes widened at this sight.
He had not noticed it at first glance, but upon closer inspection, he realized that one of the ninja's arms was not a normal arm.
When the ninja fired poison needles and extended a hidden blade from his arm, Rōshi's expression became even more shocked.
What the hell? This looked a bit like a puppet.
"Amazing, right? This is our Ninshū's latest research achievement, puppet prosthetics!" Kakuzu said proudly.
"Whether it is a severed leg or a severed hand, you can eliminate the disability by transplanting a prosthetic limb through this method."
"Moreover, our prosthetics not only look no different from ordinary limbs, but they can also be used like ordinary limbs. Not only can they be used for Ninjutsu, they can also enhance strength by adding hidden weapons through modification."
"However, the effect being too good is also rather troublesome. I heard some weaker ninja want to cut off their healthy limbs to transplant prosthetics," Kakuzu said, pretending to have a headache.
Rōshi was speechless.
Although it sounded absurd, after thinking carefully, he realized it actually made sense.
In the Ninja World, strength was revered. Many ninja would even try forbidden Ninjutsu that could cost them their lives for powerful strength, let alone replacing a hand or leg.
"Leader Kakuzu, is there something you need?" Nagato walked over to the two and asked.
Nagato had already noticed Kakuzu and Rōshi arriving, but because he had to record the experiment just now, he had not gone over.
"Nothing special. I just brought him to see our Ninshū's scientific research achievements," Kakuzu said, patting Rōshi on the shoulder.
"I do have some questions. Is now a good time?" Rōshi asked after thinking for a moment.
"Yes," Nagato nodded.
"What is the current success rate of this prosthetic limb, and what are the side effects if the transplant fails?" Rōshi quickly asked.
Both arms and legs were indispensable to ninja. Without one hand, it would be impossible to form hand seals, and ninja who could form one handed seals were extremely rare.
Losing a leg was even more serious than losing a hand. At least with one hand, there was still the possibility of forming one handed seals, and one could still use Taijutsu. But if one lost a leg, that was definitely goodbye to the profession of ninja.
Because a ninja with only one leg would only be a target in combat.
Ninja was a profession that lived on the edge. Even if they consciously protected their limbs well, there were always times when things went wrong, so there were actually many ninja with severed legs and hands.
The reason they were not commonly seen was that once their limbs were severed, they simply retired and became ordinary citizens.
Rōshi felt that this prosthetic limb was extremely important to Ninshū. If operated properly, it could not only acquire a large amount of money, but also gain more power.
"One hundred percent. No failures, no side effects," Sasori said calmly, answering the question for Nagato.
Was he joking? This was merely a derivative technology of his Human Puppet technique. How could there be any problems?
"However, currently only Sasori can perform this Ninjutsu, and only he can create the prosthetic limbs. The others are still learning," Nagato added.
Sasori lifted his head.
Those incompetent people naturally could not learn his genius technique well, just as he could not defeat Nagato with Ninjutsu.
Some of the enthusiasm in Rōshi's eyes faded.
If it could not be produced on a large scale, and even the surgery could only be performed by Sasori alone, then the limitations were much greater.
However, Rōshi still felt that it was very impressive, and when talking to Sasori, he subconsciously showed a little more respect.
This was an invention that could benefit the entire ninja community.
After touring the laboratory, it was soon dinner time. Just as Kakuzu was preparing to take Rōshi to the cafeteria for a meal, a Ninshū ninja approached them.
"Leader Kakuzu, Konoha has sent another negotiation team, and Orochimaru is leading it again," the Ninshū ninja reported.
"They've arrived."
Kakuzu was not too surprised. Konoha had notified them in advance this time.
"Are you going to eat or join the fun?" Kakuzu asked Rōshi.
"Let's go together. I'm not very hungry, and we can eat together after the talks," Rōshi replied.
Not to mention that he was not very hungry, even if he truly were hungry, he would still have to go see what was happening first.
He still hoped that Ninshū and Konoha would not clash. Currently, the two sides were not on the same scale. The gap was too large.
"Alright. We'll wait for Nagato, then go together and see what kind of joke they've come up with this time."
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