Chapter 137

Beating up those 'protagonists', especially the ones who were annoying even before crossing over, is indeed the best way to unwind.

Unfortunately, he still had to blend in with Konoha for now; otherwise, one big fight wouldn't be enough.

But it's okay, he'll deliver it.

This kind of second-generation shadow won't easily change, and there will always be opportunities to strike again in the future.

For now, it's better to focus on this mission.

If he really gets the attention of 'Madara', things could go wrong.

Once the Sand Village and Konoha reach an agreement, the southwestern ninja forces can be freed. No matter which battlefield he leads his troops to, it will provide a huge advantage.

Such a situation is definitely not something some people want to see, so there might be actions taken.

After all, even if Madara (Uchiha) doesn't make a move, Black Zetsu, that sneaky manipulator, will definitely do something.

Disrupting the ninja world is its mission.

Danger lurks everywhere!

However, for Takashi, this is also an opportunity to sit back and watch, with both advantages and disadvantages.

If he could choose, he would naturally prefer to lie down and wait for the end.

But isn't it because Danzo doesn't allow it?

So he can only desperately enhance his strength for self-preservation and find some fun to prevent his spirit from collapsing under pressure.

A normal transmigrator, coming to such a cruel and bloody place, not to mention the twisted values, would truly collapse without some means of relaxation.

Hopefully... this mission will be somewhat interesting.

In the main tent of the northern Iwa ninja army!

"Lord Tsuchikage, this is a report sent back by a Sand ninja intelligence officer!"

An Iwa ninja handed the report to Onoki.

Taking the letter, Onoki quickly read it, then handed it to Kitsuchi standing beside him, and asked:

"Has the other party been exposed?"

He wanted to know more information to make a judgment.

Hearing this inquiry, the Sand ninja who delivered the message remained silent, which was already an answer.

"You may leave."

Onoki waved his hand.

For a ninja, death is an everyday occurrence. If you grieve over every death, then you might as well do nothing in the future.

"Father... Lord Tsuchikage, could there be a problem with this letter?"

Kitsuchi, who had also finished reading the letter, voiced his doubts.

"Whether there's a problem or not, I must deal with this genius for Iwa. A teenage sage, once he grows, what will Iwa have to counter him with?"

Onoki's eyes were firm.

He also suspected the intelligence might be problematic, but his choice was to take action regardless.

The opponent's potential was simply too terrifying! He could already defeat two quasi-Kages; how strong would he become in the future?

No matter what, the ninja world cannot allow another 'Shinobi Shura' to emerge, or Iwa will never rise again.

Kitsuchi felt a bit ashamed.

Because he knew very well how exaggerated the potential of that Uchiha boy was. Judging by his battle achievements, he might not even be a match for him now, let alone in the future.

From this perspective, Onoki's decision to act was also due to knowing that Iwa had no successors, otherwise, the pride of a Kage would not have led to this.

On the other side! Takashi lay on top of the carriage, studying ninjutsu, without showing any unusual behavior.

Knowing that White Zetsu was watching, it would be strange if he did show any oddities.

After about two days, the team finally arrived at a desolate wilderness.

Surrounded by withered grass, there was no other life.

In terms of location, it was right between Kikyo Mountain and the main Sand ninja camp.

In the middle of the wilderness was a temporarily cleared open space, with a stone table and several stone chairs placed there.

Rasa and Pakura led a large number of Sand ninjas to half-surround the open space, while Granny Chiyo and Ebizo sat on the stone chairs.

"Stop!"

Mitokado Homura signaled the team to halt about a few hundred meters from the negotiation site.

"Shikaku, Uchiha Takashi, Sarutobi Sachiko, you come with me!"

He called out names.

Negotiation isn't a battle, so not everyone needs to be involved.

The hundred southwestern ninja troops naturally stayed behind to watch over the sealed Sand ninjas.

Takashi kept his hands in his pockets, indifferent.

After all, the negotiation wasn't his concern; he just needed to protect the delegation.

He just wondered why the attack hadn't happened yet. With White Zetsu watching, it was impossible not to know their location.

But Takashi didn't dwell on it; the enemy could come or not.

Mitokado Homura led them to the open space.

The Sand ninjas blocking the area around the stone table parted to let them in.

From this, it was clear that Konoha was at a disadvantage in the negotiations.

If it were an equal negotiation, the guards at the negotiation point should be from both sides, or neither side should bring guards, allowing only a fixed number of negotiators to participate. 

However, now it's the Sand Shinobi who have firmly surrounded the negotiation site. Although it doesn't affect anything directly, it does give them an upper hand in terms of momentum over Konoha.

"Long time no see!"

Takashi greeted Pakura and Rasa.

"Hmph!"

Pakura, the idol-like powerhouse of the Sand Shinobi, turned her head away, clearly showing she didn't want to talk to him.

Rasa merely nodded without any further action.

Clearly, they were enemies, and it was best to maintain a distance, especially since both were vying for the position of Kazekage, leaving no room for any blemishes.

Meanwhile, Mitokado Homura and Nara Shikaku sat on stone chairs, negotiating with the Sand Shinobi, while the others were just there to set the atmosphere.

"By the way, since we know each other, I'll give you both a piece of advice!"

Takashi didn't bother listening to the negotiations and instead looked at the two in front of him, deciding to have some fun.

If it were anyone else saying this, neither Rasa nor Pakura would pay any attention. 

But since the speaker was Takashi, the 'Purifying Flame' who had defeated them both, they would listen even if they knew they should keep their distance.

"Beware of snakes!"

He first looked at Rasa.

Thinking about how the other had just become CEO, married a rich and beautiful woman, and reached the pinnacle of life, only to be backstabbed and killed by Orochimaru, it was utterly disgraceful for a Kage.

"Snakes?"

The first thing that came to Rasa's mind was Orochimaru.

Because in this regard, the only one who could threaten him was the latter.

However, he couldn't understand why Takashi was warning him, considering they were enemies and Orochimaru was from Takashi's village.

Before Rasa could figure it out, Takashi turned to Pakura.

"Beware of the backstab of justice!"

When he spoke, he was extremely focused, trying to pay attention to his surroundings.

Yes, besides having fun, he was also testing.

Since 'Madara' could notice him, could that 'super filial son' from the Pure Land also notice him?

Moreover, the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku could predict the future. By warning these two, he might change their original fate.

So, he was also testing to see if changing history would have any repercussions.

Although his influence on the ninja world was already significant, this kind of test was still necessary.

The results would determine his future approach.

"What do you mean by that?"

Pakura frowned.

She couldn't understand this reference.

And naturally, Takashi wouldn't explain, maintaining a mysterious smile without speaking.

For his own people, he never acted like a cryptic person, but for outsiders, being cryptic was quite satisfying.

He finally understood why experts or villains loved being cryptic so much.

Before long, the negotiations were over.

Takashi naturally couldn't know the specific details of the negotiations.

But seeing Mitokado Homura's extremely displeased face, it was clear things didn't go smoothly.

"Hand over the Sand Shinobi captives to them, let's go!"

Usually adept at controlling his emotions, this time he couldn't help but give a cold order.

Of course, the order was directed at Sarutobi Sachiko, not Nara Shikaku or Takashi. Such trivial matters naturally didn't require their involvement.

"But..."

Sarutobi Sachiko was about to say something when Mitokado Homura's sharp gaze stopped her.

Some things couldn't be said openly.

Facing such a gaze, Sarutobi Sachiko fell silent, saying nothing more.

At the same time, a similar number of Konoha captives, about a hundred, were brought over by the Sand Shinobi.

They hadn't been mistreated, but their chakra was sealed or restrained, making it impossible to recover in the short term.

Hostage exchange!

Everything seemed normal.

But Takashi's eyes narrowed slightly.

Because among these people, he saw Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

"??"

Something's not right. With such a valuable hostage, shouldn't the Sand Shinobi leverage it for maximum advantage?

Releasing him so easily was completely unlike Granny Chiyo's style.

The only possibility was that the Sand Shinobi had already received sufficient compensation.

Although his curiosity was piqued, Takashi outwardly did nothing, continuing to watch as his side returned the Sand Shinobi captives and led the hundred Konoha captives away, with the Southwest Ninja Army covering their retreat.

About half a day later, just as Takashi was preparing to go (mockingly) check on Sarutobi Shinnosuke, a chilling sensation suddenly washed over him.

(End of Chapter)