It's normal to get a kaleidoscope as a first deposit of six yuan, right?

As Juzo Biwa spoke, a hint of regret flashed across his face. The old Kirigakure was truly something to remember; now it felt like a slaughterhouse stained with the blood of its own people, utterly repulsive.

"Kirigakure... I don't think I've been there yet. Is it fun?" Shiki asked Kizuna with her arms crossed on her lap, somewhat curiously.

"In the past... it would have been worth visiting, but now I'd rather not. It's not a place worth going to. I feel that Konoha is better. It has been strong for so many years, and the terrain and environment are very comfortable. The ninjas and civilians living there must be very happy, right?"

"I remember Might Guy's heroic determination to protect the village with his life when we attacked Konoha," said Juzo Biwa.

Although this guy killed four members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in less than half a minute and forced him to become a rogue ninja, in terms of will and spirit, he was indeed a worthy opponent.

"Um..." Looking at how Biwa Juzo seemed to be envisioning a very united and happy Konoha, Zhixue didn't know how to answer. But overall, it was definitely much stronger than the Blood Mist Village.

"Ahem, actually I am a Konoha ninja." Zhi Xue glanced at the strange old man who seemed to still be reminiscing, took out a Konoha headband from her clothes, coughed, and said.

Loquat Ten Treasures: ...

During the ensuing casual conversation, Juzo Biwa introduced his special skills again: swordsmanship, taijutsu, and some water-style techniques, while Shiyuki introduced her special skills as: eye techniques, fire-style ninjutsu, and ninja tools.

Upon hearing that Zhixue was from the Uchiha clan, Biwa Juzo was quite surprised.

The Uchiha clan has always been a unified entity, staying in Konoha Village. When has there ever been a bloodline outflow?

After handing over the first mission objective, Zhixue and Juzo returned to Amegakure and handed over the money they had entrusted to the organization to Kakuzu and Konan.

"How's it going? You seem to be getting along well with the newcomers, right?" Obito asked Shiyuki by the waterway below the iron tower.

"You seem alright, actually. You're not a bad person, nothing seriously wrong with you. But why do you insist on working behind the scenes in Akatsuki?"

"You should speak with more respect to the ancestors of centenarians." Looking at Obito, who had his arms crossed, Shiki spread her little hands.

Fine, whatever you say. I won't call you out on it anyway, but you can't take advantage of my seniority.

Obito seemed unwilling to answer Shisue's questions. After asking Shisue about his feelings about coming to the Akatsuki organization, he hastily left.

After watching Obito leave, who seemed very busy, Zhixue returned to her small house and checked the items in the system shop. She had quite a bit of money left, so she decided to see if there was anything she liked.

Ding! The latest discounted items have arrived in your account. Please check your balance. Current balance: 5600 million taels.

Upon hearing the system announcement, Zhi Xue opened the system shop and carefully examined the discount section.

This time the items seem to be of a much higher quality than before, but that's understandable, since my strength has increased so much that I don't need to use some of my ninjutsu anymore.

Forbidden Technique: Yin Healing Yang Annihilation (Pure Version): This is the first move in the Pure Treasure Book, the 123 Super Combo. After you use one card of chakra to activate it, your pain will be reduced by 90% for the next 30 seconds. You will be immune to most genjutsu and control-type ninjutsu, but you cannot pass through obstacles. It is countered by space-time ninjutsu. Cooldown: 2 hours. Special effect: Running, hand seal speed permanently +1. Discounted price: 200 million ryo.

Looking at the skill description, it doesn't seem as powerful as I imagined, but the price isn't too high, so I might consider it.

Forbidden Technique: Mutual Explosive Tags Technique: This is one of the ninjutsu developed by Tobirama Senju. It uses summoning jutsu to continuously summon explosive tags from another dimension for continuous explosions. Discounted Price: 400 ryo.

Passive skill: Water Release Ninjutsu Mastery lv.10, Discounted price: 1000 million taels.

Chapter 128, Crisis of Trust

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" In the virtual training ground, Zhi Xue was using various Water Release techniques she had learned to test the practicality of the purchased goods. The effect seemed to be very good. As for the Water Dragon Bullet, she was able to save up to four hand seals. Although it was still a little worse than the one she used against Senju Tobirama before, she could still be called a Water Release master.

Zhi Xue bought the Invincible Body and Water Release Mastery items, which were on sale, but did not buy the Mutual Multiplication Explosion Talisman because it was not very useful.

After playing in the water at the training ground for a while, Zhi Xue returned to reality and took advantage of her few free days to communicate with the locals in the Land of Wind.

"Investment is a difficult issue to guarantee. You don't seem to know much about our local industries. Let me tell you, investing in a run-down place like the Land of Wind is just throwing money into the sea, except for mining and construction, of course, but those sectors are basically already established and foreign investment is probably not allowed there."

Inside the tavern, Zhi Xue, disguised as a man in black, sat at the table listening to the intelligence ninja who frequented this place for many years, and pondered for a while.

She didn't know much about this area, but there were other ways.

"Excuse me, are there any timber businesses around here?"

Upon hearing Zhixue mention timber, the intelligence ninja's eyes widened. He then leaned close to Zhixue's ear and said, "Forget about this place. This is a desert. Planting trees is impossible. And importing timber will have to go through caravans. Those merchants are ruthless. If we try to transport it here, we probably won't make any money and will even lose some."

"You don't need to worry about that. Just tell me if there are any timber businesses here besides exporting timber."

Upon hearing what Zhixue asked, the ninja shook his head.

"I've never heard of that before. How could anyone be foolish enough to want to plant trees in the desert?"

Stop Snow: ...

After obtaining useful information from the ninja, Zhixue placed 200 taels on the table and then left.

When Zhixue returned to Yuyin Village, it was already close to dusk. However, she was taken aback when she saw several commoners carrying lanterns and busy cleaning inside and outside the village. Then she realized what was going on when she saw the thin ice slabs in the irrigation ditch.

Are they preparing for the New Year? So the ninja world has this custom too. She should go home and visit her older brother then, but for now, she should go back and get a good night's sleep.

"Hey kid, there's a new mission tomorrow, remember to get up early." On the way back to his residence, Pipa Juzo, who was sitting on the iron tower looking at the scenery, shouted to Shiyuki.

"Ah, I see. Is this the last mission of the year? Looks like we need to hurry up tomorrow, or we might not make it home for the New Year." Zhi Xue said, scratching her head in exasperation.

Watching Shiki leave, Pipa Juzo also gave her a strange look.

Is this kid planning to go back to the Uchiha clan for the New Year? But aren't all the traitors here just like him?

After Zhixue left, a vortex formed on the nearby rooftop. Obito watched Zhixue skip away, placed his hand on the railing, and looked thoughtful and doubtful behind his mask.

He had just received a piece of information from Bai Jue that he had overlooked when recruiting Zhi Xue, which made him very uneasy.

"Madara, it seems you haven't made up your mind yet." Zetsu emerged from the ground and grinned at Obito.

Is the information you received accurate?

"Hehehe, my intelligence network is the most powerful in the entire ninja world, so it's definitely true." Zetsu took out a photo from his Akatsuki coat and handed it to Obito. It was a photo of a Konoha ninja donating his eyes to Shisui as proof of the bond between the two sides and being praised by the Hokage. There were many people at the scene, and White Zetsu had also secretly taken two photos among them.

Although it is said in Konoha that Shisui's eyes were damaged in the previous battle with the masked man, it is obvious that Shiyuki and Shisui, who know the inside story, could not have damaged Shisui's eyes. So, there is only one possibility.

Kotoamatsukami resides with his younger sister, Uchiha Shiyuki…

“This guy…” Obito looked at Shisui’s closed eyes in the photo and his expression became serious.

Helping his sister awaken the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan is no problem, but if Shiki inherits the power of Kotoamatsukami... that's another story.

"What do you plan to do? Will you choose to believe her and pretend nothing happened, letting Kotoamatsukami reside under your nose, or will you choose some other options?" Black Zetsu circled Obito several times as he spoke.

Obito put the photo away and then looked at where Nagato was.

"The power of Kotoamatsukami is extremely dangerous. I need to talk to Nagato first. As for Shiyuki... we'll discuss it later."

As Black Zetsu watched Obito disappear into the whirlpool, his expression darkened.

"This is so unlike you..."

……

The next morning... Zhi Xue washed up early, ate a simple breakfast, and then ran towards the hall where the Akatsuki organization was holding a meeting.

"Oh dear, kid, you're late again." At the entrance of the hall, Pipa Juzo looked at the pocket watch he used for keeping track of time and said.

"Hehe, the bed in winter is just too comfortable, I didn't really want to get out. I accidentally overslept. Besides, you said you wanted to get up early, but you didn't specify a time, did you?" Zhixue scratched her head and retorted.

Seeing Zhixue's perfunctory attitude, Biwa Juzo sighed and then took out the mission scroll.

“Well, children do need more sleep, so let’s put those issues aside for now. Our mission is to rescue people on an unnamed island in the East China Sea. Ah, it seems the people we’re rescuing aren’t exactly clean, otherwise we wouldn’t have found them. But after being an assassin for so many years, this is the first time I’ve encountered a situation where I’m going up against a fellow assassin.” Pipa Juzo scratched his head, looking somewhat troubled.

Hopefully, this operation won't involve running into some old acquaintances from the Land of Water, otherwise the situation will become rather delicate.

"East China Sea? We'll have to take a boat again..." Zhi Xue took the map from Biwa Juzo's hand and looked at a red dot near the Land of Water. She felt a headache coming on when she recalled her past schedule of returning to the Land of Fire from the Land of Lightning.

Taking a boat is too slow; it's not nearly as efficient as a ninja running on land. But since it's the deep sea, he has no choice but to take a boat. If only he could fly... Wait, he seems to have thought of a good idea. Maybe he can go to the virtual training ground and learn some ninjutsu for free.

The Light and Heavy Rock Technique—the old man from the Two Scales was once able to lift Turtle Island with one hand and fly it hundreds of kilometers across the sea using this technique. If we had this, we could save ourselves a lot of trouble.

After figuring out what was going on, Shiyu glanced at Pipa Juzo and then used her period as an excuse to go to the restroom...

As Shisei watched Shisei leave quickly, Pipa Juzo leaned against the wall, looked at the map of the Land of Water, and sighed.

"If it weren't for the mission, I really wouldn't want to come near this place..."

Chapter 129, Konoha Genin

"Hey, kid, what's this?" said Juzo Biwa, looking at the chakra threads tied to his body.

“Of course it’s a means of transportation. Trust me, take it with you and you’ll feel like you’re flying.” Zhi Xue said, connecting another chakra thread to her waist.

This is also the simplest method. As long as the chakra lines remain unbroken, Shisue's Light and Heavy Rock Technique will cover everyone else along with the lines.

"Is the mode of transportation something like a horse-drawn carriage...? Hmm?" Juzo Biwa stared wide-eyed at his body, which was gradually floating up.

"Earth Release: Light and Heavy Rock Technique!" Zhi Xue's delicate fingers formed hand seals, and chakra enveloped the two of them, causing them to float together in mid-air.

"Hmm...it seems the ninjutsu was a success, so we don't need to take a boat."

"Hey kid, this is probably a ninjutsu from Iwagakure, right?" As a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Juzo Biwa had seen descriptions of this ninjutsu in books, but wasn't Yuki a ninja from Konoha?

"Ah, weird old man, so what if it's a ninjutsu exclusive to Iwagakure? As long as you can use it, that's fine, hehe." Seeing Shiyuki's excited look, Biwa Juzo's pupils shrank, and he suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Hey, you don't want... me..." As she felt the air violently whipping against her body and the surroundings receding as if merging into patches of mixed dye, Pipa Juzo knew her premonition was right.

In the empty valley, two figures flew rapidly overhead, startling a flock of birds. Feeling the cold air rushing against his body, Kizo's face darkened.

"Hey kid! Don't forget you still have someone on you!"

After obtaining the Light and Heavy Rock Technique, the journey was significantly shortened, and it took less than a day to cross the entire Land of Fire and reach the coast.

At the port of the Land of Fire, watching the giant ships and many small boats of merchants approaching from afar, Zhi Xue picked out several snacks and held them in her arms, eating them little by little.

Watching Shiyuki eat with gusto as if she were on vacation, a bead of cold sweat dripped from Biwa Juzo's forehead.

Why does this kid not seem to have any sense of seriousness about a mission? And how come he has so much chakra? He's been flying all day and doesn't seem exhausted at all.

"Hey old man, don't you want some?" Zhi Xue wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth with a tissue and handed two skewers of grilled meat to Pipa Juzo with a smile.

Loquat Ten Treasures: ...

Ten minutes later, two figures, one tall and one short, dressed in black robes, sat on the pier with skewers and takoyaki, watching the tides rise and fall on the shore.

Hearing the familiar sound of the waves, Pipa Juzo threw the bamboo skewer into a trash can dozens of meters away.

"Hey, kid..."

Seeing the strange old man suddenly speak out of nowhere, Zhixue swallowed the meatball and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"Since you are a ninja from Konoha, do you know someone named Might Guy?"

“Might Guy?” Zhi Xue was taken aback when she heard this. Although she had never met this guy, she had heard of his heroic deeds. Facing the Seven Ninja of the Mist, who were all elite Jonin, he opened the Eight Gates and instantly killed four of them, scaring away the other three.

Although it seemed like a desperate gamble against a small fry, it was precisely this operation that saved Konoha from a rear attack and made them pay more attention to the Eight Gates Formation. Otherwise, Guy probably wouldn't have become an elite Jonin of Konoha.

"I've heard that when he died, the village buried him as a hero in a mausoleum behind Konoha. Why is this strange old man bringing this up?"