Chapter 138: Sarutobi Hiruzen: “i Have Not Questioned The Will Of Fire!”
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly learned about the subsequent situation at the Ninja Academy. Upon realizing that three junior members of the Sarutobi Clan, along with a seasoned teacher from the Ninja Academy, had been killed on the spot, Sarutobi Hiruzen found that he wasn’t angry enough to question Ikeizumi’s extreme actions.
Perhaps, it was his current self who harbored the thought of indulging Ikeizumi’s extreme actions.
He had implicitly allowed Ikeizumi to carry out his absolute justice.
If he, the Third Hokage, had wanted to intervene, he could have brought a contingent of Anbu Ninja to the Ninja Academy. In that case, he could have stopped Ikeizumi from enacting absolute justice, just as he had in the past.
But he didn’t move. He remained in the Hokage’s Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen pinched some tobacco, stuffed it into his pipe, lit it with a match, and took a gentle puff. As he exhaled a cloud of smoke, he said with a heavy heart, “Please inform the members of the Sarutobi Clan for me that they should send more people to the Ninja Academy to collect the bodies. Also, notify the family of Izushima Kaede and have them collect her body as well.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused for a moment, then continued, “Also, please tell the members of the Sarutobi Clan to properly handle Sarutobi Sakurako’s body. Place a portion of her ashes in the ancestral shrine of the Sarutobi Clan, and erect a memorial tablet for that child within the shrine!”
“Yes! Hokage-sama!”
The Anbu Ninja nodded slightly and vanished instantly.
“Hoo…”
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled another puff of smoke, the swirling mist obscuring half of his aged, complex, and wrinkled face.
“Tsunade has also completely taken her stance…”
Sarutobi Hiruzen could grudgingly understand the stance taken by the Yamanaka Clan, Nara Clan, and Akimichi Clan to some extent.
Although they often sided with him, their relationship with him, the Third Hokage, was ultimately somewhat distant.
There was no blood relation between them, nor were they master and disciple.
It was understandable that they might part ways someday.
However…
Tsunade was one of his disciples!
Most importantly, Tsunade’s identity was too special; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her Konoha’s princess. After all, her grandfather was the First Hokage, who founded Konoha Village. Furthermore, she was not merely a figurehead; she was a female ninja with absolute power and held great prestige within Konoha Village.
When Tsunade spoke those words to Uchiha Ikeizumi in front of so many people, it was undoubtedly a statement of support for Uchiha Ikeizumi.
And she didn’t hide it at all.
It was an open and direct show of support.
“Hiruzen!” Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was sighing repeatedly, the office door was violently pushed open. Sarutobi Hiruzen slightly raised his eyelids and saw Koharu Utatane quickly entering.
Sarutobi Hiruzen brushed away the despondency from his face and asked, “Koharu, weren’t you and Homura entertaining the envoy from the Village of Rain?”
Koharu Utatane questioned him repeatedly, “The envoys from the Village of Rain are no longer important. What’s important is how you could allow Uchiha Ikeizumi to run rampant in the Ninja Academy? If those children witness such a bloody and cruel extreme act, wouldn’t it leave them with severe psychological trauma?”
“The Ninja Academy is meant to cultivate the fresh young sprouts for Konoha’s future. Every student is of utmost importance, and it’s possible that one of them might become the pillar of Konoha’s future. In such a situation, how could you…”
“Koharu!”
Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted her and shook his head, “It’s not that I allowed Ikeizumi to run amok in the Ninja Academy; it’s that I specifically designated Ikeizumi to handle this matter at the Ninja Academy.”
Koharu Utatane was stunned, “What do you mean?!”
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and recounted the incident with Sarutobi Sakurako.
Hearing this, Koharu Utatane’s old face was once again stunned.
The anger and dissatisfaction on her face couldn’t help but pause. She opened her mouth to say something, but some words got stuck in her throat.
After a few seconds of silence, she could only give Sarutobi Hiruzen a deep look and say, “Hiruzen, perhaps you are simply blinded by anger due to the death of that child. Have you considered that you might regret today’s decision in the future?”
“Because you, as the Hokage of Konoha, specifically named Uchiha Ikeizumi to carry out an act of absolute justice at the Ninja Academy, and even tacitly agreed to him killing three juniors of the Sarutobi Clan…”
“This will significantly damage your prestige and authority. It will also make some people think that your stance has changed. They will think that you are also supporting absolute justice.”
“Those who are on the fence might lean towards absolute justice because of your actions.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a strange sense of familiarity in this scene.
Especially when Koharu Utatane uttered the word “regret.”
This almost made him blurt out, “I am the Hokage!”
Fortunately, compared to Danzo, who always argued with him, Koharu Utatane’s words were at least considerate of him, the Third Hokage.
“Regret is something for the future,” Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. “The decision has been made, can it be taken back? Can I take a pill of regret and turn back time?”
Koharu Utatane fell silent.
After a long while, she seemed to realize something, took a deep breath of her secondhand smoke, and said with a sigh, “Hiruzen… As the Hokage of Konoha, you should not doubt the Will of Fire.”
“Even less should you harbor any inclination towards absolute justice, which goes against the Will of Fire. Sarutobi Sakurako’s death has had a very negative impact on you.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, “I simply believe that handing this matter to Ikeizumi for handling was the most appropriate. I have not doubted the Will of Fire, nor have I endorsed his absolute justice.”
Koharu Utatane said indifferently, “I hope so.”
…
“Akatsuki, what is that?!” Mitarai Anko was clearly startled when Uchiha Izumi mentioned this strange organization’s name. Then, she looked at Juzo Biwa in front of her, who was reacting even more intensely than she was, with surprise and uncertainty.
Judging from Juzo Biwa’s reaction, Anko was quite certain that the Akatsuki organization mentioned by Izumi seemed to be real.
Her eyes narrowed instantly, “Hey, are you a member of this organization called Akatsuki, and you’re posing as an envoy from the Village of Rain to sneak into Konoha Village?!”
“Hiss—”
“Hiss—”
The faint sound of a snake’s tongue flicking could be heard from Anko’s sleeve.
Juzo Biwa ignored Anko’s questioning, his gaze fixed on the young Uchiha girl. He suddenly let out a sneer, “What are you talking about? I am an envoy from the Village of Rain, there’s no doubt about it.”
“What Akatsuki? I’ve never even heard of it.” How could Juzo Biwa admit it? He naturally had to deny it firmly.
Izumi’s small face turned stern, “I possess the ability granted by Senior Ikeizumi, which allows me to see the past and future evil of others. Your information is no secret to me.”
She enunciated each word, “Why have you come to Konoha? What is your purpose in wanting to contact Senior?”
“You fellow…”
Izumi coldly questioned, “What’s your relationship with Uchiha Obito?”
Izumi had learned about Uchiha Obito, who was impersonating “Uchiha Madara,” from Senior Ikeizumi. She knew early on that Uchiha Obito was currently in an organization called “Akatsuki.”
Now that she saw Juzo Biwa also belonged to Akatsuki, Izumi instinctively assumed they were allies.
And in her ingrained impression, Uchiha Obito, as described by Senior Ikeizumi, was not a good person.
So, was Juzo Biwa in front of her also not a good person?
At least…
It could be confirmed that his motives were impure and certainly not as simple as coming to ease relations with Konoha as an envoy from the Village of Rain.
Juzo Biwa: “???”
Uchiha Obito…
Who is that?!
And what is this eye that can see past and future evil? Does such an outrageous ability exist in the ninja world? His clan had never heard of any Sharingan Dōjutsu that could see any sin,
let alone one that involved concepts of time like the past and future.
“Hmph, I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Juzo Biwa’s face also turned a bit colder. Being constantly questioned by an Uchiha brat, anyone would get a little angry.
Izumi said, “Whether you understand or not is irrelevant. What’s important is that you need to come to the Police Force.”
She said slowly, “As a Police Force Ninja, upon discovering a ninja from another village suspected of being a spy for a certain organization, I have the absolute responsibility and right to escort him to the Police Force for interrogation.”
“Ha, what if I refuse?” Juzo Biwa’s eyes flashed with danger. He realized that the mission given to him by that woman might be in jeopardy at the hands of this Uchiha girl.
“You have no right to refuse.” A sudden voice made Juzo Biwa, Izumi, and Anko all freeze.
As they looked in the direction of the voice, they saw a lecherous old man with white hedgehog-like long hair walking towards them with a serious expression, exuding an incredibly imposing and heroic aura.
“I just heard the word ‘Akatsuki’.” Jiraiya stared intently at Juzo Biwa with a very serious gaze.
“I am very interested in this organization.”
Jiraiya stood in front of Izumi and Anko, looking directly into Juzo Biwa’s eyes, and continued, “You may not give these two lovely girls face, but can you give me, Jiraiya, some face?”
“Because, someone I have been desperately searching for is rumored to have joined ‘Akatsuki’ and is one of their core members.” Jiraiya’s clothes billowed in the wind. “I believe… you wouldn’t be foolish enough to make a move in Konoha, would you?”
Juzo Biwa’s face turned extremely unpleasant and stiff. His motion to draw the Executioner’s Blade faltered.
“Konoha Sannin…”
“Jiraiya!”
…
“This is bad…” Not far away, a strangely shaped White Zetsu slowly merged into the trunk of a roadside tree. “Juzo Biwa has stumbled upon secrets he shouldn’t have. I need to quickly transmit this information.”
The White Zetsu’s information transmission speed was extremely fast, taking less than half a minute.
The information transfer neuron quickly reached Zetsu.
Zetsu, who had already entered the Land of Fire, immediately narrowed his eyes.
“Obito! The plan has changed!” Zetsu said to Obito beside him while on the run. “Uchiha Ikeizumi’s subordinate mentioned your name in front of Juzo Biwa. If they can communicate properly and exchange information, he might learn secrets about you from Uchiha Ikeizumi’s subordinate.”
“And these secrets will be relayed to Konan through his retelling, and then… even Nagato will know your true identity. However, I don’t think the impact of them knowing your true identity will be particularly significant for you…”
“…Tch!”
Obito, wearing a mask, gritted his teeth and interrupted, “Shut up! They must not know that ‘Uchiha Madara’ is ‘Uchiha Obito’!”
“Otherwise, how will they look at me, and how will they treat me? I need to use the name ‘Uchiha Madara’ to be the true behind-the-scenes manipulator of Akatsuki!”
“The plan has indeed changed.”
Obito took a deep breath, his expression and tone returning to normal. “Juzo Biwa must die! Regardless of whether he learned any secrets about me, he absolutely cannot be allowed to return to Akatsuki.”
“Even his corpse must be completely destroyed, lest someone be able to find information about me through his body.”
Zetsu glanced at Obito, did not refute, and simply said, “It’s difficult to make a move without an inside accomplice in Konoha.”
Obito’s tone intensified, “There will always be an opportunity.”
…
Juzo Biwa never expected to visit the Konoha Uchiha Clan’s Police Force one day, especially under the gaze of Jiraiya, the Sannin, he found no opportunity to escape.
‘I’m really in trouble with that woman… This organization mission is not easy at all!’
Juzo Biwa, with his legs casually crossed, sat on the chair in the Police Force Interrogation Room.
The Executioner’s Blade was placed beside him, leaning against the wall.
The gas mask that obstructed his face was also removed and casually tossed aside.
“Tch, is this Konoha’s interrogation room?” Juzo Biwa sneered, unceremoniously judging, “If it were the interrogation room of the Hidden Mist Village, there would be many bloody human parts hanging on the walls, and even the heads of several dead people; even the chair I’m sitting on would be covered in thumbtacks; and the temperature inside the interrogation room would be like an ice cellar.”
“Only in such an interrogation room can one feel a sense of pressure. But like Konoha’s interrogation room…”
Juzo Biwa adjusted himself to a comfortable sitting position, a cruel smile spreading across his lips. “The environment is more comfortable than my living room!”
His gaze fixed on Jiraiya, Uchiha Izumi, and Mitarai Anko before him, he continued, “No matter what you ask me, I will not speak. You also know that it is definitely not easy to extract any information from a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.”
“I know your Konoha Village has a ninja clan called the Yamanaka Clan, capable of stealing memories from others. But before that, I just need to form one hand seal, and my head will explode, and you won’t get any information from me.”
“Unless…”
Juzo Biwa said, “Let that Lava Release Ferocious Beast interrogate me!”
“Heh… If that guy is present, I might accidentally reveal some very important secrets, it’s possible.”
“You mentioned Senior Ikeizumi again,” Izumi said. “So, your purpose in coming to Konoha was to target Senior Ikeizumi, right?”
Juzo Biwa picked at his ear, flicking the “snack” he found onto the interrogation room wall.
“He’s right.”
Jiraiya suddenly spoke, “He was once a prominent figure among the Bloody Mist Ninja of the Hidden Mist Village. ‘Torture’ is useless against such a former Hidden Mist Village ninja. Even if his limbs were detached, he wouldn’t utter a single extra word.”
Jiraiya looked at Izumi and said, “We need Ikeizumi to come here.”
Although Jiraiya had some reservations about Uchiha Ikeizumi’s absolute justice.
And he found Uchiha Ikeizumi’s extreme actions even more incomprehensible.
Even knowing that his intentions were good, the execution process was truly unacceptable to Jiraiya. In his eyes, there were clearly gentler and more effective methods, yet Uchiha Ikeizumi still resorted to such extreme means.
In fact, Jiraiya felt that the way the other person viewed the ninja world was very pessimistic; he believed the entire ninja world was somewhat beyond saving and needed a change.
Cough! In this regard, he himself wasn’t much better.
Jiraiya also believed that the ninja world needed change, but he didn’t think that absolute justice was the catalyst for positive change in the ninja world.
Rather, it was the savior he had yet to find.
The Child of Prophecy mentioned by the Great Toad Sage!
However, in order to extract information about Orochimaru and Akatsuki from Juzo Biwa.
Jiraiya felt he could cooperate with Ikeizumi.
…
“Today, the three of us have personally witnessed you executing absolute justice. It truly is uncompromising absolute justice. Even though the villains were three students and one teacher from the Ninja Academy, you still judged and executed them without hesitation.”
“It’s because they committed unforgivable transgressions and showed no remorse, trampling on the bottom line of justice and morality.”
Outside the Ninja Academy, an elite Uchiha Police Force Ninja said to Uchiha Ikeizumi’s retreating back, “What Lady Tsunade said earlier, I think she was very right.”
“Uchiha Ikeizumi, your absolute justice shouldn’t be limited to just a few followers. If you were to run for Uchiha Clan Head, the three of us would wholeheartedly support you.”
“At that time… as long as you become the Uchiha Clan Head, you can lead the entire Uchiha Clan to believe in absolute justice.”
Uchiha Ikeizumi paused and said, “Justice is always better none than imperfect. Even a single speck of dirt can stain the word ‘justice’ with an indelible stain.”
“And,”
As the three Police Force ninjas were slightly taken aback, he continued, “Don’t limit the word ‘justice’ to just the Uchiha Clan. When you understand what I mean, you can come and report.”
Beside them, Kijiro, who was following Uchiha Ikeizumi, turned his head and spoke human words, “Lord Ikeizumi means for you to have some perspective. The perspective of justice is to look at the entire ninja world, meow!”
“If your perspective is only this much, then your belief in justice is not even as good as a twelve-year-old Uchiha Izumi.”
“Meow, come find Lord Ikeizumi when you’ve figured things out.”
None of the three expected to be lectured by a ninja cat one day.
And as proud Uchiha, they couldn’t muster any desire to retort.
“Hoo… Justice with a perspective of the entire ninja world.” Watching Uchiha Ikeizumi’s receding figure, a Police Force Ninja said with one hand in his pocket, “It is precisely because he has such a capacity that we want to follow his absolute justice.”
“However, what he said is indeed true. Compared to what a man like him sees, our vision is too narrow, to the point that we cannot see what path justice truly is.”
Another person beside him asked, “So, what do we do next?”
The Uchiha Ninja with his hands in his pockets said, “Of course, we execute justice in the ninja world. Actually, he has already accepted us, because as long as we understand his words, we can believe in justice.”
“Although the three of us are not the first to follow absolute justice from the Uchiha Clan,” he said with a proud, mocking smile. “But compared to others besides Uchiha Izumi, our perspective and vision are at least a hundred times better than theirs!”
…
Inside the Ninja Academy.
Iruka, while supervising the boisterous students, quietly walked out of the classroom and looked outside.
He noticed that after Uchiha Ikeizumi, those Uchiha Police Force ninjas, and Lady Tsunade had all left,
He walked back into the classroom and cleared his throat.
“Class dismissed! Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Yamanaka Ino, Haruno Sakura! Your detention is also over!”
This dismissal didn’t improve Naruto and Sasuke’s mood, as they had completely missed Teacher Ikeizumi’s execution of justice.
It had happened only dozens of meters away in front of them, yet the wall of the classroom and Iruka, who kept staring at them, were like two heavenly punishments that they couldn’t overcome.
“Damn it, I completely missed it!” Naruto ran his hands through his blond hair, messing it up like a bird’s nest, and muttered, “Iruka-sensei is really something… we’re both students of Teacher Ikeizumi, how could we not understand justice?”
Sasuke stood with his hands in his pockets, his small face expressionless and cool as he said, “Indeed. It seems the quality of this ninja academy teacher is poor. I heard he’s a new teacher and hasn’t taught anyone before. As expected, new teachers are poor at teaching.”
Iruka, who hadn’t left yet: “???”
Just as he wished he could flick both of these brats on the forehead to teach them a lesson.
Suddenly, a childish and clear voice rang out, “You… truly don’t understand justice, even if you call him ‘Teacher’.”
This statement made Naruto and Sasuke freeze in unison.
It also caused Sakura to look at Yamanaka Ino beside her in disbelief.
Ino took a deep breath, her small face showing a complex expression. Looking out the window at the corpses being guarded by several ninja academy teachers, she said from the bottom of her heart, “You only regret not personally participating in the execution of justice. You don’t care about the victims who were harmed by the wicked villains.”
“Ino…”
Sakura stared at Ino’s profile with wide eyes. She had felt that Ino had been acting strangely lately, but due to their “rival” relationship, she hadn’t gotten too close to Ino.
As a result, she didn’t know exactly what was strange about Ino.
Only now did Sakura realize where her “rival” Ino had become strange.
Ino…
She doesn’t seem to like Sasuke anymore!
Otherwise, she would never have said “You truly don’t understand justice” in front of Sasuke. Especially the word “you,” wouldn’t that include Sasuke-kun too?
If it were her, she would only say that only dead-last Naruto didn’t understand justice, and Sasuke-kun would definitely be the one who understood justice the most.
While Haruno Sakura’s mind began to race with all sorts of thoughts.
Yamanaka Ino’s gaze remained on the outside as she continued, “I didn’t see either of you care about the victim who was persecuted to death. Just now, you even completely ignored her. Justice that doesn’t care about the victim isn’t justice at all, okay?”
“So, don’t talk about Iruka-sensei like that here. Although Iruka doesn’t believe in Absolute Justice, he indeed understands what justice is better than you two, and he understands Uchiha Ikeizumi’s Absolute Justice better than you.”
Ino vaguely recalled her Father’s daily admonitions.
A large portion of what she was saying had been told to her by her Father.
Through Yamanaka Inoichi, she had come to understand Absolute Justice.
She understood Absolute Justice even better than Naruto and Sasuke.
This was one of the reasons Ino had become “very strange” recently; this was also one of the reasons she had suddenly “de-hypnotized” herself from Sasuke.
Ino felt that Sasuke was a bit childish in this regard.
“…This child.” On the lectern, Iruka gazed at Yamanaka Ino’s small back and murmured, “Her parents must have taught her these principles, right? Coupled with the recent changes in the Yamanaka clan, it has made her more precocious.”
He then looked at Naruto and Sasuke, who were standing there motionless.
“Will of Fire… Absolute Justice…” Iruka seemed to make a decision. He tidied up the lesson plans on the lectern, and as he walked out, he muttered, “I hope the Hokage-sama won’t blame me. After all, Naruto and Sasuke have chosen this Ninja Way. As their teacher, I can only silently support them and let them become excellent Konoha Ninja on the path they’ve chosen.”
Even if he himself didn’t believe in Absolute Justice, it didn’t mean he couldn’t teach students who embraced justice and the Will of Fire.
Iruka wasn’t someone with a diode-like mentality who could only choose between the “Will of Fire” and “Absolute Justice.”
He believed there was a certain commonality between the two.
…
‘This is bad! This is bad! Ino must have said the wrong thing. Sasuke-kun hasn’t made a sound, he hasn’t even moved. Hiss… he must be angry, right?’
‘What should I do, what should I do… Should I hint to Ino that she should apologize to Sasuke-kun? But if he ends up hating her, wouldn’t that be even better?’
‘Then, the rival who poses the biggest threat to me would be gone.’
‘But even though Ino-pig is annoying, she used to…’
While Sakura’s heart was in a frantic turmoil, she couldn’t help but start thinking erratically, falling into a dilemma.
Just then, Sakura heard Sasuke’s voice from beside her finally speak, “Yamanaka Ino. That’s your name, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Ino replied with a slight nod.
“I feel you are right,” Sasuke said, gazing at her. His usually cold expression actually showed a hint of apology as he continued, “My understanding of justice and that dead-last’s understanding of justice are indeed not as deep as yours. We did indeed unintentionally overlook the victim just now.”
Naruto casually extended a hand: “Uzumaki Naruto! The man who will become Hokage of Konoha in the future and spread Teacher Ikeizumi’s ideals of justice throughout all of Konoha! Please guide me!”
Sasuke followed suit, saying, “Uchiha Sasuke. Please guide me.”
“Yamanaka Ino,” Ino said, retracting her gaze from the outside.
She stated, “Please guide me.”
Sakura: “…”
For some reason, Sakura suddenly felt like an outsider. A thick transparent barrier seemed to have appeared in front of her, separating her from these three people.
She couldn’t understand why Sasuke-kun’s attitude had changed 180 degrees, and why he was even apologizing to Ino?
She couldn’t understand even more why Sasuke-kun was actively trying to befriend Ino.
Before Ino had become so “strange,” she had tried to stick by Sasuke-kun’s side just like herself.
Everyone…
Had become so strange.
…
At the same time.
Uchiha Police Force Headquarters.
Uchiha Ikeizumi arrived at the interrogation room—because on his way, a ninja cat and a toad had rushed to find him, saying that Uchiha Izumi had caught Juzo Biwa at the Police Force and was trying to extract important information from him.
However, Juzo Biwa had specifically requested to see Uchiha Ikeizumi, otherwise he wouldn’t reveal any information at all.
So…
He came.
But Uchiha Ikeizumi wasn’t interested in the so-called top-secret information Juzo Biwa possessed, because no one in the Ninja World knew more than he did, even concerning much of the future.
What interested him was whether Juzo Biwa, a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, was a completely wicked villain with a red name? Was he a scoundrel who needed to be judged and executed by Absolute Justice?
“Quite surprising.”
This was the first thing Uchiha Ikeizumi said upon seeing Juzo Biwa. As he walked into the interrogation room, he didn’t even glance at Jiraiya, making Jiraiya, who was about to greet him, quite awkward.
Uchiha Ikeizumi stood in front of Juzo Biwa, staring at the white box floating above his head.
“As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from the Hidden Mist Village, known for cruelty and active in the Third Great Ninja War, you are more upright than many people I’ve met. Or rather, outside of the battlefield, you are not such a wicked scoundrel.”
Uchiha Ikeizumi’s cold tone reached Juzo Biwa’s ears, and Juzo Biwa was also sizing him up intently at this moment.
Juzo Biwa suddenly grinned cruelly, “You are Konoha’s ‘Lava Release Ferocious Beast,’ Uchiha Ikeizumi? You are truly an extraordinary man. Just standing before me makes me feel a bit of pressure.”
“Uchiha Ikeizumi, aren’t you curious…”
“Let him go,” Uchiha Ikeizumi interrupted directly. He said this to Izumi, “There’s no point in arresting him.”
Juzo Biwa: “???”
Jiraiya: “???”
“Wait!” Jiraiya couldn’t help but interject, “He is ostensibly an envoy from the Village of Rain, but in reality, he is a spy from an organization called ‘Akatsuki.’ Akatsuki has a deep connection with Orochimaru. I suspect Orochimaru has joined Akatsuki. We can extract information about Orochimaru from him.”
Mitarai Anko was also taken aback, “Ikeizumi, the true purpose of this man coming to Konoha Village seems to be to contact you. Aren’t you curious about what schemes Akatsuki has?”
Kijiro habitually jumped onto Izumi’s shoulder.
It licked its paws and spoke, “Meow, this Ninja Sword user, if I recall correctly, he recently defected from the Hidden Mist Village and probably hasn’t been in Akatsuki for long. Within Akatsuki, he’s likely just a complete rookie.”
Juzo Biwa: “…”
Kijiro continued, “Regarding information about Akatsuki, Lord Ikeizumi probably knows more than this guy. As for Orochimaru, meow, this guy definitely doesn’t know where Orochimaru is hiding.”
“In that case, what value does he have? His only value is probably his sword, which can be sold for money.”
Juzo Biwa: “…”
Damn it! How does this talking cat know so much?
…
…
