Thwack!
A streak of white light flashed, cutting the air in a curved shape.
Hatake Sakumo moved so fast he seemed to disappear completely.
Most people could only see a burst of white, which is where the name "Konoha White Fang" came from.
Soon, the ground was covered in dead bodies.
The ninja from Sunagakure watched him reappear, filled with awe.
The Konoha White Fang was a fearsome enemy of their village, responsible for the deaths of many Sunagakure ninja.
Even Chiyo-sama's own son and daughter-in-law had fallen victim to his skills.
But now, seeing him fight alongside them, they felt incredibly safe.
"Uhhh…"
The last ninja from Iwa slumped to the ground, shaking uncontrollably.
Faced with someone as powerful as the Konoha White Fang, he was overcome with fear, tears and mucus streaming down his face. He didn't even have the courage to pick up his weapon.
However, Hatake Sakumo didn't want to kill him.
Pakura felt the same way.
They needed someone to go back to Iwagakure and report what had happened, to prove that Sunagakure and Konoha were working together.
Once the last survivor had run away in shame, everyone turned to look at Sarutobi Ryo again.
The Konoha White Fang's power was legendary.
And now, a new star was rising from Konoha.
The Hokage's oldest son had earned everyone's respect with his incredible strength.
To be honest, even Pakura hadn't seen exactly how Sarutobi Ryo had cut off the enemy's head. It happened too fast.
However, the wound itself offered a clue.
"There are signs of intense heat on the neck. Was it Fire Release chakra?"
Pakura guessed.
She figured Young Master Ryo must have infused his weapon with fire chakra.
Almost everyone there believed this was the answer.
Only Namikaze Minato sensed that something was different, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was.
Even he, who had been temporarily blinded by the overwhelming chakra, couldn't accurately see what had happened in that instant.
But one thing was for sure…
"This is too different from what was supposed to happen…"
Namikaze Minato was certain of it.
If things had gone according to the future he knew, Young Master Ryo would never have become this strong.
"Let's take the body and anything useful we can find. Sound good?"
Sarutobi Ryo returned to the group and was immediately treated by Hatake Sakumo's assistants.
Sarutobi Ryo recognized the female ninja wearing a mask.
She was a student of his mother, Biwako… Taji.
The same female ninja who had helped Kushina give birth in the original story.
As part of the Anbu, directly under the Hokage's command, she followed Hatake Sakumo's orders and served as a team member.
"Hmph." Pakura grunted, agreeing with his suggestion.
The Tsuchikage's son had been killed in just a few moves. This Sarutobi Ryo was truly impressive.
"Now that the joint mission is complete, there's no reason for us to stay here any longer."
Sarutobi Ryo picked up Kotsuchi's body, placed the sword back in its sheath, and prepared to leave.
"Please tell the Kazekage when you return that we are waiting for good news about the alliance…"
With that, Sarutobi Ryo left without saying another word.
Pakura didn't try to stop him.
Killing the Tsuchikage's son was a huge deal.
If the Tsuchikage found out, the entire ninja world could be thrown into chaos, possibly even triggering the Third Shinobi World War.
And more importantly… Sunagakure had many internal problems that needed to be dealt with immediately.
It would be easier to handle them without the Konoha White Fang and the others around, as they would only get in the way.
"Let's go!"
Pakura gave Sarutobi Ryo one last, lingering look, then led her team in a different direction.
----
[Will of Fire System]
[Item Identification… Sword of Kusanagi!]
Sarutobi Ryo was walking down the road when these words suddenly appeared before his eyes.
"I knew it wasn't just any ordinary weapon…"
Sarutobi Ryo's lips curved into a slight smile. He was very pleased.
Sword of Kusanagi.
There were many of them in the world of Naruto.
For example, Orochimaru had one he used during the Chunin Exams. Then there was Itachi's Sword of Totsuka, which was also a type of Sword of Kusanagi.
Other Swords of Kusanagi were lost somewhere in the ninja world, unknown to most people.
So, even if others saw the sword, they probably wouldn't recognize it as a Sword of Kusanagi.
After all, even Black Zetsu, who was incredibly old, only knew the legend of the "Sword of Totsuka" Kusanagi, but didn't realize that its true form was a spirit sword.
Each Sword of Kusanagi had different abilities, but they all shared one important trait.
They almost never broke.
Their durability was unbelievable, so there was no need to worry about them wearing down.
That alone made them worthy of being called divine weapons.
What's more, every Sword of Kusanagi was incredibly sharp, although the degree of sharpness varied.
"I'll study it carefully when I get back…"
Sarutobi Ryo carried the sword on his back, showing no emotion.
The other members of his team kept glancing at him with respect.
Negotiating with the Kazekage, leading the charge, and even single-handedly killing the Tsuchikage's son in just a few moves… he had already proven himself worthy of a higher position.
----
Late at night, the next day.
In the distant village of Sunagakure.
It was late, and everything was quiet.
"Honorable Kazekage, you've been working hard…"
The door to the Kazekage's office opened gently.
Sasori walked in, carrying a tray.
The Third Kazekage was still reviewing documents late into the night.
Sasori looked up at him and carefully placed the tray on the desk.
"Oh, it's Sasori…"
The Third Kazekage looked up and smiled.
"Has Chiyo-sama gone to rest?"
Usually, Chiyo would bring him a late-night snack or some tea to refresh him.
Today, Sasori had taken her place.
"Honorable Kazekage, Grandma has been getting older lately. Seeing the Konoha White Fang again has made her feel a bit down…"
"Mm."
The Third Kazekage's eyes shifted slightly.
He also felt sorry about the deaths of Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law.
Having the enemy right in front of you, but having to think about the bigger picture… that was the burden of leadership.
He picked up the teacup and drank the tea in one gulp.
Throughout this, Sasori watched him closely, not wanting to miss a single thing.
After the Third Kazekage finished drinking the tea, a strange, unsettling smile appeared on Sasori's face.
Success …
However, before the smile could fully form...
A figure hurried in from outside the door.
"Honorable Kazekage…"
It was Pakura, looking exhausted.
Sasori was surprised to see her.
How could she be back so soon?!
According to his plan, Pakura wouldn't be back until dawn at the earliest.
Could this crazy woman have traveled back here non-stop, without even resting, directly from the northern border?!
"Honorable Kazekage, I'll take my leave now."
Sasori said this and left immediately, without stopping.
Pakura's arrival meant that his plan had only been partially successful… no, it had ultimately failed.
If they actually fought, he wouldn't be able to beat Pakura in his current state.
Damn it …
Sasori was furious.
He had administered the poison, so the plan should have been perfect.
A colorless and odorless poison to kill the Third Kazekage, then turn him into his artistic Human Puppet… that's how it should have been.
Sasori rushed out of the Kazekage Building, grabbed his equipment, and quickly left Sunagakure.
His sudden departure from the village raised alarms.
Leaving the village without written permission was against the rules.
After he left several bodies behind, new pursuers were sent after him…
Hasty footsteps echoed through the Kazekage Building.
When everyone arrived at the Kazekage's office, they found an empty room. The Third Kazekage was gone…
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 213 (Vol 2 Ch 155)
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Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
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]