Chapter 122: The True Culprit Behind the Third Ninja World War!

Chapter 122: Chapter 122: The True Culprit Behind the Third Ninja World War!

"So that's how it was."

Hearing Shūichi Hoshita's question, Sasori of the Red Sand scoffed, but also sighed. "It seems every village has its own dirty, ugly secrets!"

"However, no one in Konoha leaked any information to me."

"It's just that Konoha's White Fang's mission happened to directly conflict with the one I was carrying out."

Shūichi asked, "The mission you were executing—eliminating those who wanted to cut Sunagakure's funding?"

Sasori chuckled, "Seems you've heard about it. Yes, that's right."

"Konoha's goal was clear—to weaken Sunagakure by reducing its funding."

"Heh, I guess your actions this time didn't get approval from Konoha's higher-ups."

"I have to admit, you're just as bold as I am."

Shūichi, unimpressed, replied, "I'm not as bold as you—daring to assassinate the Kazekage."

Sasori, as if it were natural, responded, "Because of his poor decisions, my parents died at the hands of Konoha's White Fang. Killing him was only right."

Returning to the previous topic, Sasori continued, "Konoha's White Fang was indeed incredibly powerful. Once I realized he was coming, I immediately decided to join forces with the Kazekage. On my own, there was no way I could take him down."

"After all, he was Konoha's White Fang!"

Sasori's voice grew slightly somber, but he quickly resumed his usual tone and smiled. "Also, killing White Fang provided me with an opportunity to further evaluate the Third Kazekage, to gain just a little more of his trust and lower his guard."

"In the end, my decision was entirely correct."

"His speed was just like yours—my puppets were completely useless against him."

"But fortunately, I had the Kazekage. Even though White Fang's Lightning Release was able to counter the Kazekage's Magnet Release, there were two of us, and we were in the Land of Wind."

"With our preparations in place, we were able to slow down White Fang enough that he couldn't escape."

"I have to admit, White Fang's strength was terrifying. Even the Third Kazekage was left a bit embarrassed—he almost got away."

As he spoke, Sasori's grin grew even wider. "After that battle, I was more certain than ever that I could kill the Third Kazekage."

"So, I took White Fang's body and turned him into a puppet."

"As expected, he became the perfect weapon against the Third Kazekage."

"If not for your intervention, I would've killed the Kazekage by now, turned him into an art piece, and added him to my most prized collection!"

By the end, Sasori's tone carried a hint of regret.

But Shūichi realized that Sasori's regret wasn't about failing to kill the Kazekage for revenge—it was about not being able to turn him into a valuable puppet.

He really isn't a normal person!

With his questions answered, Shūichi asked Sasori, "Do you have anything else you want to say?"

Sasori's expression softened as he thought of his parents. In the Pure Land, he would be reunited with them, wouldn't he?

He wouldn't have to wait any longer, right?

With that, Sasori smiled and closed his eyes. "Do it."

Shūichi immediately activated his ninjutsu.

Temple of Nirvana Technique!

Seeing how cooperative Sasori was, Shūichi didn't mind granting him a peaceful death.

After putting Sasori into a deep sleep, Shūichi stepped forward and twisted his neck with a clean snap—no pain at all.

Incineration Technique!

Sasori's body was set ablaze, quickly burning down to a pile of ashes.

Swamp of the Underworld!

A small swamp appeared where the ashes lay, swirling as it swallowed Sasori's remains.

Complete destruction!

Shūichi had considered bringing Sasori back to Konoha alive, to extract his puppet-making techniques.

However, taking Sasori back posed too many risks, and those techniques weren't worth it to him.

As for the Third Kazekage's body...

Shūichi fell into deep thought.

His initial plan was to bring the Kazekage's body back to Konoha for Magnet Release research.

After all, he was going to establish his own research base, so there was no risk of information leaking.

The Kazekage's body was too valuable to waste.

"Even though I can more easily obtain Magnet Release chakra from the One-Tail, the Kazekage's body is key to studying the Bloodline Limit itself."

"The Third Kazekage's corpse is far more valuable than Sasori, so I'll keep it."

"Konoha will likely suspect I was behind this, but as long as I don't admit it, I'll be fine."

Having made his decision, Shūichi left the woodshed and found Asuka had reheated the food. He couldn't help but laugh.

Asuka smiled. "We've been busy all night. I'm a little hungry!"

Shūichi sat down and chuckled. "Let's eat and rest, then tomorrow we'll head back to the Land of Fire."

The Kazekage had disappeared, and it involved the Four-Tails Jinchūriki from Iwagakure. The ninja world was bound to descend into chaos.

Perhaps the Third Ninja World War was about to begin!

"The culprit behind the Third Ninja World War?"

Shūichi murmured to himself.

...

The Third Tsuchikage, ōnoki, looked at his son and said, "So, are you absolutely certain that Rōshi couldn't have possibly infiltrated the Land of Wind and worked with that brat Sasori of the Red Sand?"

Kitsuchi nodded firmly, "Yes! Ever since that incident, Rōshi has been in seclusion for intense training."

"Moreover, there have been guards watching him. It's impossible for Rōshi to have left for such a long time without anyone noticing."

Upon hearing this, ōnoki grew angry, "So, Sunagakure did this on purpose—they're using this as an excuse to start a war?"

Kitsuchi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sunagakure's actions are too significant. It doesn't seem like they're faking it."

ōnoki frowned, "What are you trying to say?"

Kitsuchi replied, "There is indeed someone using a power identical to Rōshi's."

"Lava Release?"

ōnoki fell into deep thought.

He recalled that Kumogakure also had a Lava Release user, but their power differed from Rōshi's.

At that moment, Kitsuchi added, "It wasn't just Lava Release; there was also the power of a tailed beast!"

ōnoki immediately straightened his small frame, his expression becoming serious. "Are you saying someone has stolen the power of the Four-Tails?"

"Was it that brat from Konoha?"

"How is that even possible?"

"It took Rōshi ten years to gradually master the power of the tailed beast."

Kitsuchi said, "It might not necessarily be Shūichi Hoshita. It's also possible that someone in the past acquired the power of the Four-Tails."

"After all, tailed beasts are unique. You know as well as I do that their powers can multiply and be preserved for a very long time."

"No matter the case, I believe we must prepare for war."

ōnoki nodded, his tone serious. "Then notify the others, and let's hold a meeting."

Soon after, the leaders of Iwagakure gathered and swiftly reached a consensus.

First, prepare for war!

Second, be on guard against an attack from Sunagakure and, if necessary, strike first to seize the initiative!

...

Meanwhile, in the Land of Wind, inside Sunagakure's council room, another meeting was taking place.

"The Third Kazekage was incredibly powerful. There's no way he could've been killed just like that!"

"That's right! The Kazekage had the strength to suppress a tailed beast!"

"But now, there's no trace of the Third Kazekage anywhere!"

"Should we appoint an acting Kazekage for the time being?"

...

The Sunagakure Jōnin present murmured amongst themselves during the meeting.

Chiyo, surveying everyone, sighed before speaking, "The most important thing right now is to find the Kazekage, whether he is dead or alive."

With that, her statement settled the debate.

...

In Konoha, Shūichi returned from the Daimyo's residence just before lunchtime and immediately reported to the Hokage's office.

After thoroughly explaining the situation regarding his discussion with the Daimyo, Shūichi heard Hiruzen Sarutobi ask, "Shūichi, how did your training go this time?"

Understanding the deeper meaning behind the question, Shūichi promptly replied, "Very smoothly. I can now use the Flying Thunder God technique in real combat."

Hiruzen Sarutobi understood as well but couldn't help being quietly astonished, despite already having prepared himself mentally.

After all, the target was one of the village Kage—a Kage known as the strongest Kazekage in history.

In the past, Hiruzen had even fought the Third Kazekage, so he had a decent understanding of his power.

Yet now, that Kage had fallen to an 11-year-old boy...

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi remain silent, Shūichi could guess that the Hokage was secretly in shock.

Killing a Kage from one of the five great villages at the age of 11 was indeed extraordinary.

But compared to Uchiha Itachi, Shūichi didn't think it was that big of a deal.

Although he couldn't remember the exact timeline, Shūichi estimated that Uchiha Itachi must have awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan at around 11 or 12 years old. Afterward, with the assistance of Uchiha Obito, he wiped out the Uchiha clan and joined the Akatsuki.

Shortly after that, he even took down Orochimaru in seconds!

At that time, Itachi was probably only around 13 or 14 years old.

Of course, all of this was still hidden within Shūichi's memory and hadn't happened yet.

...

After a brief moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke, "You've worked hard. Now, focus on preparing for the research facility."

He didn't ask for any more details, and Shūichi, in turn, had no intention of reporting on them.

Both of them understood each other perfectly.

(End of Chapter)

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