Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 73 The Daimyo of Takinokuni's Mission Request

"In addition, commission is also a factor."

Aburame Shicheng continued, "The village needs to develop; the tax revenue from the commercial street alone isn't enough. Going out to take on missions will not only earn you money but also increase your combat experience and expose you to the dangers of this world."

"A win-win situation."

Naoto thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go."

He turned to leave, then suddenly stopped, turned back, and asked, "Do you have other plans?"

Yu Nu Zhicheng remained silent.

Naoto looked at him for a while, then turned and left without asking any further questions.

The footsteps faded into the distance, and silence returned to the stone chamber. Aburame Shisei gazed in the direction where Naoto had disappeared, his eyes growing increasingly deep.

That's right, he did have a purpose in sending Naoto out to gain experience.

As he said, although Naoto's basic skills are already at a high level, his actual skills are still far from good enough.

Secondly, it was mainly to attract Kakuzu's attention.

Kakuzu, the man who betrayed Takigakure, killed his superiors, seized the Earth Grudge Fear, and then fled. His name has always been on Takigakure's wanted list, yet no one has ever been able to do anything to him.

Since the Akatsuki organization has not yet been established, it is still feasible to have him return to Takigakure.

After all, there are very few truly capable masters in Takigakure who can shoulder the main responsibility.

His reason for defecting was also quite absurd—Takigakure sent him to assassinate Hashirama Senju, which was no different from sending him to his death.

As expected, he was too honest back then. This was clearly a trap set by the elders of Takigakure Village, who were afraid he would threaten their position.

If it were him, he would have done the same; he wouldn't have been foolish enough to attempt an assassination first. It just goes to show that in terms of confidence, no one can compare to the young Kakuzu.

He turned his gaze back to the petri dish in front of him.

Inside, the aquatic worm that survived within the Seven-Tails' chakra was slowly swimming. Its body had an eerie, semi-transparent appearance, and one could vaguely see purple light spots flowing within it.

"It seems we still need more time," he murmured, then looked north. "I wonder how things are in the Snow Country? How many of those insects he prepared survived?"

-

Konoha, Hokage Building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he looked at the intelligence report in front of him.

The information above came from a joint request from the Daimyo of Takigakure and some nobles. He wanted to hire Konoha ninja to eliminate the Touken Ranbu (sword-wielding ninja) within the country, arguing that they were recruiting young men and women, spreading harmful ideas, and causing chaos within the country.

Unexpectedly, his first major mission after the great war left him so indecisive. Soon, he notified the Anbu ninjas and summoned three other friends to the Hokage's office for a meeting.

Not long after, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado entered the room one after the other. Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't wait for Danzo and directly distributed the documents in his hand to the two of them.

"Take a look at this task."

"A request from the daimyo of Takinojuku?"

Xiaochun, somewhat curious, took the task list and glanced at it: "Eliminate the Daodao Clan? Reward... 100 million taels!"

"What a grand gesture!" Mitokado Yan clicked his tongue in amazement.

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the intelligence report and rubbed his temples.

"The problem is, the Land of Waterfalls is a buffer zone between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth. If we send troops in, what will Onoki think?"

"Furthermore... it's quite obvious that the Swordsmen have noble backing. On the surface, this is about eliminating gangs, but in reality, it's a factional struggle within the country of Taki. If we get involved, we'll easily be accused of interfering in the internal affairs of another country."

Tsurugi Koharu pondered for a moment and said, "But one hundred million taels... the village is currently short of money."

Mitomon En nodded in agreement: "The current medical system pilot program, the expansion of the ninja school, the distribution of pensions... everything requires money. If we can secure this funding, it will solve many problems."

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently smoked his pipe; he was well aware of this principle.

Just then, Danzo Shimura pushed open the door and walked in.

"Hiruzen, you're just too weak."

He did not sit down, but stood in front of the three people.

"We want the money. We want to do the mission. As for what Onoki thinks, that's his business. Interfering in internal affairs—as long as we do it cleanly, who will know it was us?"

He stepped closer, his gaze fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi: "If you don't want to do it, Root will take over this mission."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned even more deeply, "Danzo..."

"Don't worry," Danzo interrupted him. "I will send elite troops to make this a quick and decisive victory. After it's done, the credit will go to Konoha, and the responsibility will fall on Root. It has nothing to do with you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him for a long time, then sighed and said, "...Be careful."

Danzo slightly curled the corners of his mouth, but before turning to leave, he suddenly said, "Hiruzen, Orochimaru has chosen to apply to join our Root."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed slightly: "Danzo, a true Hokage should not take over the Dark Side."

"But how long do you want your apprentice to wait? Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."

"I have no other intentions; everything I do is for Konoha. Orochimaru still has many shortcomings in certain aspects, and he needs more experience."

"Heh, joining our roots, isn't that a great experience?"

"You don't want to give him power, and you don't want to give him freedom either? There's no such thing as a free lunch!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened: "Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this one day! You were the one who pushed him away, and I was just opening my arms to welcome him. Hahahaha!" With that, Shimura Danzo turned and left, making sure to slam the door shut behind him before he went.

Seeing this, the other two elders couldn't get a word in edgewise. In the end, they hesitated, could only sigh, and turn to leave.

-

In the land of waterfalls, in a secluded valley.

The stronghold of the Daodao Clan is hidden here. There is a sentry post at the entrance to the valley, and inside is a simple camp built against the mountain. More than two hundred teenagers live and train here, learning the swordsmanship taught in Nanshi.

Nanshi stood in the training ground in the center of the camp, watching the young people practice, sweating profusely.

It has been quite a while since Aburame Shicheng last appeared, almost half a year. He has rarely replied to his recent letters, at most only saying one sentence, telling him to handle it himself.

He always felt a sense of alienation, but seeing those children who were determined to improve themselves made him feel that it was all worthwhile.

"Master!"

A clear, crisp sound rang out. Nan Shi turned his head and saw a boy and a girl running towards him, their faces beaming with excitement.

"Master, I finally learned that move today!" The boy waved his wooden sword, his eyes sparkling.

The girl retorted, not to be outdone: "Me too!"

Nan Shi rarely showed a smile: "Not bad, it seems that you will be able to stand on your own soon."