Chapter 71: Elegy — Kinoshita Jiro
Compared to Sasuke and Sakura's speculation, although Naruto standing to the side still had a cheerful smile on his face, compared to his usual carefree personality, he was somewhat silent at this moment.
It turned out that what Jiro-san said to him was all true.
Jiro-san is such a gentle person. If he could find his wife and son, he would surely be very happy.
"If you three do not want to return to the Ninja Academy, then forget everything you saw today."
Kakashi looked at Sasuke's trio, his tone carrying a warning.
Generally speaking, the actions of Root, even if not top-secret missions, are quite important operations. These all need to be kept secret.
As for everyone else present, the other civilians of the Land of Waves had already gone back to eat lunch, leaving only Tazuna who did not belong to Konoha.
However, Tazuna was currently staying under the bridge that was only half-built, measuring various data. Presumably, he should not be able to see what was happening above.
"Kinoshita Jiro-dono, you should not have the qualification to negotiate with us."
A voice full of low and cold tones came from the mouth of the other Root ninja.
Accompanied by this Root ninja's speaking, the entire scene suddenly became quiet. Under everyone's gaze, Kinoshita Jiro's face was somewhat pale. He tightly gripped the scroll in his hand, as if making some important decision.
Kinoshita Jiro? No wonder!
Hearing this name, Kakashi looked stunned, as if he remembered something. At the same time, some problems that he originally could not figure out, Kakashi now thoroughly understood.
"Kakashi-sensei, what is wrong?"
Sakura saw Kakashi's expression and could not help but speak in a low voice.
Hearing Sakura's voice, Sasuke and Naruto also could not help but look towards Kakashi.
"The so-called Jiro-san in your mouths is not some wandering ninja. He is the clan leader of the 'Kinoshita' clan of the Mist Village."
"Half a month ago, the Mist Village issued a bounty regarding Kinoshita Jiro. The bounty amount was the price of an S-class rogue ninja, but the content of the bounty was not for assassination, but merely to provide intelligence regarding Kinoshita Jiro."
Kakashi spoke in a slightly low tone. Because of wearing a mask, Sasuke and the others did not see the shocked look on Kakashi's face.
"Is Kinoshita Jiro-san a rogue ninja?!" Naruto's face looked surprised, and he let out a soft cry.
"Idiot, Kakashi-sensei explained it so clearly, yet you still didn't understand!" Hearing Naruto's voice, Sasuke revealed a look of looking at an idiot and spoke.
"Naruto, Kakashi-sensei means that Kinoshita Jiro-san is very important to the Mist Village. Important to the point that even if Kinoshita Jiro-san went missing, the Mist Village could only use a high bounty to obtain Kinoshita Jiro-san's whereabouts."
Sakura explained helplessly.
"And issuing such a high bounty is also explaining to other ninja villages that Kinoshita Jiro is still a person of the Mist Village, and other ninja villages cannot touch Kinoshita Jiro."
Sasuke looked at Naruto with a mocking gaze, but he also explained seriously to Naruto.
Naruto blinked his eyes and looked blankly at Sasuke and Sakura. Why is it that listening to the same thing, the two of them could understand so much?
Although Naruto still did not quite understand, at least he understood that Kinoshita Jiro-san was not a rogue ninja.
Compared to the relaxed expressions of Naruto and the others, Kakashi revealed a face of solemnity. What Sasuke said was indeed correct, but there was one point Sasuke did not realize, which was the darkness between each ninja village.
The Mist Village issuing such a high bounty also explained one thing, which was that Kinoshita Jiro held extremely important intelligence.
And Kinoshita Jiro, who mastered such intelligence, was a piece of fat meat for every ninja village.
At this time on the other side, the originally tense atmosphere began to gradually dissipate.
Kinoshita Jiro seemed to have made a decision. He gritted his teeth, and while raising the scroll in his hand, he spoke seriously: "I hope you people of Konoha keep your word!"
After speaking, Kinoshita Jiro handed the scroll into the hands of that Root ninja.
That Root ninja opened the scroll. Seeing the content on it, he nodded slightly, then closed the scroll again.
Immediately after, this Root ninja made a hand gesture to the other Root ninja.
Not good!
Kakashi saw this gesture and his expression changed drastically. They want to kill Kinoshita Jiro!!
Whoosh!
Kakashi kicked the ground fiercely and rushed directly forward. Kinoshita Jiro's identity was too sensitive. If he died at Konoha's hands, there would likely be big trouble.
This group of people from Root is truly too unscrupulous!!
At the moment Kakashi moved, one of the Root ninjas also rushed out, blocking directly in front of Kakashi, and said in a low tone:
"Just do your mission well. Do not meddle in other people's business."
At the moment this ninja blocked Kakashi, the other Root ninja also took action directly.
Pfft!
Blood splattered!!
Under Kinoshita Jiro's disbelieving expression, the other Root ninja's hand directly pierced through Kinoshita Jiro's entire chest.
Amidst the blood, there were also fragments of internal organs mixed in.
Kinoshita Jiro looked blankly at this Root ninja. A large amount of blood flowed out from his mouth, and he spoke with a weak tone:
"Wh... why? Tell me the news... about my wife and son..."
Pfft!
Blood splattered again. That Root ninja pulled his entire palm out of Kinoshita Jiro's chest.
"How could this be?!"
Sakura looked at this scene in disbelief, and her whole person couldn't help but retreat two steps.
Sasuke's pupils also constricted. This matter happened too suddenly. Except for Kakashi, Sasuke and the others had absolutely no preparation.
"Ji... Jiro-san!!"
Naruto was stunned first, then let out a loud roar and rushed forward directly.
"Naruto!"
Kakashi's expression changed. He wanted to hold Naruto back, but the Root ninja opposite him had his aura firmly locked onto him. Kakashi dared not make any movement at all.
Naruto rushed in front of Kinoshita Jiro. When he saw the huge wound on Kinoshita Jiro's chest, his whole body couldn't help but tremble.
"You guys exactly...!"
Naruto raised his head, looking at that Root ninja, and let out a roar of anger. However, before he finished speaking, a hand stained with blood gently grabbed Naruto.
"Jiro-san!"
Naruto felt Kinoshita Jiro's movement and hurriedly spoke.
Kinoshita Jiro knelt weakly on the ground. He raised his head with difficulty, looked at Naruto, and spoke intermittently:
"You are not... their opponent. Sorry... for lying to you at the beginning, Naruto. It's just... just that until death, I didn't see my wife... wife and son."
Speaking to this point, Kinoshita Jiro slowly raised his hand and gently touched Naruto's head. The blood on his hand seemed to dye Naruto's golden hair into a patch of blood-red color.
Youto-sama, my mission is completed. Now there are no flaws, right?
The next moment, Kinoshita Jiro slowly closed his eyes. His whole person fell directly into Naruto's arms, completely devoid of life!
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