Chapter 22: Seeing the Executioner's Blade Again
After that Uchiha Obito disappeared, Kakashi Hatake searched for a long time without success. He could only lean against a tree by himself, gradually regaining his ninja composure.
Kakashi Hatake frowned tightly. First, he confirmed that Uchiha Obito's identity was real, because before Obito 'died', he had said the Sharingan was a gift to congratulate him on becoming a Jonin.
Only he, Rin Nohara, and Uchiha Obito knew about the 'Jonin gift' designation. Rin was already dead, so the only ones who knew were the two parties involved.
As for the other things Uchiha Obito said, like killing Sensei Minato and Mistress Kushina, Kakashi Hatake's first thought was disbelief. After all, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki had treated Uchiha Obito very kindly...
However, the Nine-Tails Incident back then indeed had many suspicious points.
Kakashi Hatake gritted his teeth and punched the tree beside him, "As long as I find Obito again, I can uncover the truth of that year... If Obito wants to avenge Rin, and he didn't kill me, then he must have gone to the Land of Water, or has been hiding in the Land of Water all along!"
Based on the words Uchiha Obito intentionally left behind, Kakashi Hatake quickly interpreted the information he wanted.
Kakashi Hatake clenched his fists. His intelligence had always been considerably higher than Obito's; he quickly believed he had deduced Obito's destination.
The Uchiha Obito just now seemed grief-stricken and indignant, constantly picking at their old wounds in his words, completely unaware he had already leaked his own information.
"Obito, still the same old forgetful and careless guy..."
Kakashi Hatake put his mask back on. He had already determined Obito's location. As long as he went to the Land of Water, he would definitely be able to find Obito. At that time, he could unravel all the buried truths.
"Senpai... are we returning to the village?"
Yūgao Uzuki walked up with a conflicted expression. It seemed she had learned some incredible secrets today; the purple-haired female ninja was still somewhat dazed.
"Mm... Wait!"
After nodding, Kakashi Hatake looked at Yūgao Uzuki and suddenly said, "Regarding what we encountered today, please keep it secret no matter who you face. This could cause turmoil in Konoha. Before I uncover the truth, absolutely no one else must know..."
Yūgao Uzuki asked gravely, "Senpai, among the 'other people' you mentioned, does that include Lord Hokage?"
"Correct. There are many hidden circumstances surrounding Obito's matter."
Kakashi Hatake rubbed his forehead and said in a low voice, "The turmoil from the Uchiha clan's destruction hasn't ended yet. Let's keep it secret from the Third for now! After I've investigated the truth, I will report the entire sequence of events to him."
"...Yes."
Yūgao Uzuki stared intently at Kakashi Hatake. Seeing the frustration on his face, she finally nodded and agreed to his request.
Worried that Uchiha Obito might encounter uncontrollable danger while seeking revenge against Kirigakure (Village Hidden by Mist), Kakashi Hatake led Yūgao Uzuki back to Konoha village after a simple rest stop, then immediately requested leave from Hiruzen Sarutobi and hurried out again.
Uehara Naraka didn't know that the 'good deed' he did had directly prompted Kakashi to leave ANBU early.
At this moment, Uehara had already reached the Land of Waves.
This small neighbor bordering the Land of Fire was truly dirt poor, and he hadn't heard Gato's name mentioned either. It seemed that tycoon Gato hadn't set his sights on this small country yet.
Uehara Naraka instantly lost interest in this country. He walked all the way to the Land of Waves' docks, looked at the rows of fishing boats, and asked, "How much does it cost to go to the Land of Water from here?"
"..."
The boatmen looked left and right, each shaking their heads. One who seemed to be the leader replied, "Customer, the Land of Water is a closed country. The ninja lords there don't allow us to approach."
Uehara Naraka looked them over curiously and asked softly, "Hmm, then how much money do I have to offer for you to be willing to take me to the Land of Water?"
"No matter how much you offer, we won't go!"
"Money can be earned again, but you only have one life!"
"How could we possibly risk our lives for a sum of money!"
This group of boatmen had more integrity than Uehara expected. Living in a poor country with low living costs and less pressure, they wouldn't risk their lives for money.
Amidst the clamor, a voice suddenly cut through, "Kid, how much are you willing to pay? If the price is right, I don't mind taking you."
"..."
The group of boatmen instantly fell silent.
Everyone's gaze slowly shifted, landing on a small boat at the edge, where a stranger with his face wrapped in bandages sat. This person didn't seem to be from their Land of Waves.
But the man who spoke looked fierce and hard to provoke; the Land of Waves boatmen didn't dare try to persuade him otherwise.
Seeing the man who spoke, Uehara Naraka couldn't help but smile wryly. A stack of exploding tags appeared at his fingertips, "One hundred exploding tags. Is this price enough?"
"..."
The man's eyes narrowed. Seemingly stunned for a moment after seeing the exploding tags, he slowly nodded, "It's acceptable."
The price of exploding tags varied across the ninja world.
In some places, due to war, production issues, etc., the price of a single tag could reach tens of thousands of Ryō; in other prosperous places, the price could be as low as two thousand Ryō.
Uehara Naraka's offer couldn't be called ungenerous. One hundred exploding tags, in a place like the Land of Water, could easily sell for a million Ryō.
Of course, only ninjas would be willing to accept exploding tags as payment.
Uehara Naraka jumped onto the small boat. Looking at the bandaged man before him, a smile appeared on his lips. It seemed his luck was good this time; first encountering Kakashi Hatake, and immediately after, one of Kakashi's rivals, Zabuza Momochi.
The current Zabuza Momochi was still wearing a Kirigakure uniform, perhaps having not yet chosen to defect, because the 'pretty tool person' (Haku) wasn't by his side.
However, this couldn't be judged definitively.
But when Uehara Naraka looked down and saw a wide ninja sword on the boat, he couldn't help but glance at Zabuza Momochi again.
Akatsuki's Jūzō Biwa had died in Kirigakure not long ago. The Executioner's Blade was recovered by the Fourth Mizukage, and then it immediately fell into Zabuza Momochi's hands?
Zabuza Momochi noticed his gaze but seemed unconcerned by the scrutiny. He simply started the boat's motor and left the Land of Waves dock.
The small boat quickly reached the open sea.
Zabuza Momochi looked at Uehara Naraka and finally spoke, "Kid, do you recognize this sword?"
Uehara Naraka nodded and said softly, "One of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swords, the Executioner's Blade. No matter how damaged it gets in battle, it can restore itself by absorbing the iron from human blood."
"..."
The more Zabuza Momochi listened, the more surprised he became, his eyes gradually turning cold, "Kid, it seems you know quite a lot!"
"Just a little bit more than the average person."
Uehara Naraka waved his hand humbly. Looking at the cold Zabuza Momochi, he continued with a smile, "Hmm, let me think how I should address you? One of Kirigakure's new Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Mr. Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist?"
Clang!
Zabuza Momochi abruptly grabbed the Executioner's Blade and suddenly held it against Uehara's neck, "Since you recognized my identity and still dared to come to the Land of Water with me, kid, what exactly is your purpose!"
(End of Chapter)
---
Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb
{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}
*Thank you*