Naruto: With maxed-out affection, I am invincible in the ninja world.

Haneda said she really couldn't handle Kai's youth.

Not long after Kai finished speaking, Asuma excitedly added:

"Brother Haneda! This time, I won't be like last time and do nothing!"

"Is that so?" Haneda glanced at the confident Asuma, thinking that the other party was still too young.

The Ichiro I encountered last time was already strong enough, being a dual bloodline limit user.

This time, however, they will be facing Chiyo, a veteran Kage-level powerhouse from Sunagakure!

Against someone like that, even a Jonin could only offer some assistance.

"Good luck, Asuma." Although Haneda thought this in his heart, he still offered a word of encouragement.

After a quick journey, the eight people arrived at the village entrance.

At this moment, Orochimaru stopped and said to Sakumo:

"Let's part ways here, Sakumo."

"I have some personal matters to attend to."

“Okay.” Although Sakumo found Orochimaru’s strange behavior a bit odd, he didn’t ask any further questions.

Haneda knew that Orochimaru might have gone to see Danzo or deal with the experimental materials left in Konoha.

Seeing that Orochimaru was about to leave, Guy and the others followed.

But after walking only a few steps, Kai suddenly stopped, turned back, and said to Haneda with reluctance:

"After completing this mission, I will challenge Kakashi and defeat him!"

"Haneda, in our next duel, I will stake my youth to end our fated duel!!"

"Okay." Haneda waved goodbye.

He didn't believe that Kai could defeat a resilient Kakashi head-on.

…………

In the Blood Mist Village, a hidden basement.

White Zetsu poked its head out from underground, surfaced, and reported to Madara, who was sleeping soundly atop a stone chair:

"Lord Madara, Class 9, where Haneda is, is leaving the village again."

Upon hearing White Zetsu's voice, Madara slowly opened his eyes and asked:

"What mission did they take, and where are they going?"

"It's the Land of Rain, where Nagato is located, investigating Chiyo's purpose in going to Amegakure," White Zetsu replied.

"Nagato?" Madara frowned, then asked, "How many people were with him?"

“A team of ANBU is following, and Orochimaru might be among them.”

"Then let Sakumo die there."

After saying this, Ban tapped the armrest of the stone chair, seemingly pondering how to best arrange the plan.

After a while, Ban said in a deep voice:

“Scorpion has already turned the Third Kazekage into a puppet. Doesn’t he want revenge? Let’s reveal the location to him.”

"In addition, we will offer a high bounty on the black market to attract that bounty hunter ninja named Kakuzu to go there as well."

"At the appropriate time, have a Kirigakure ninja impersonate a Root member to assassinate Sakumo, and explain that Sasori wants Sakumo's living body to create a puppet."

"In a desperate situation, Haneda is forced to choose to kill his own teacher."

After hearing Madara's series of arrangements, Black Zetsu immediately flattered him, saying:

"Lord Madara's plan is flawless!"

"That kid Haneda will definitely join us in order to take revenge on Konoha!"

"In addition to his bond with Obito, he will inevitably push forward the Eye of the Moon Plan!"

Madara glanced at Black Zetsu briefly, then closed his eyes and fell asleep.

…………

One day later, in the Sand Kingdom, in an artificial mineral vein.

Scorpion stared intently at a blue-haired, black-eyed puppet with stiff limbs.

As the chakra threads on Sasori's hands began to move, strands of iron sand wrapped around the puppet.

He smiled with satisfaction, though the smile was somewhat stiff.

"Truly perfect art!"

"Eternal beauty!"

Sasori controlled the Third Kazekage puppet, and strands of iron sand raged all around.

He played with the Third Kazekage puppet excitedly, like a child who had received a toy.

At this moment, someone cautiously entered the secret chamber and reported to Scorpion:

"Lord Sasori, news of Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, has appeared on the black market."

Where is he going?

Upon hearing the words "Konoha's White Fang," Sasori's expression immediately turned icy, and his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Sakumo Hatake was the enemy who killed his parents. Sasori's assassination attempt on the Third Kazekage was not only driven by his pursuit of art, but also by his desire to kill Sakumo.

He needs power, and then revenge!

"The Land of Rain!"

"Lord Sasori, Sakumo Hatake will lead the Third Hokage's son Asuma Sarutobi, Haneda Uchiha, and Kurenai Yuhi on a secret mission."

As soon as the reporter finished speaking, a wisp of iron sand instantly killed him, as easily as stepping on an ant.

Scorpion left the secret chamber expressionlessly, while iron sand flew everywhere and swept across the entire mine.

All the information about him here was buried underground by the iron sand.

"The Kingdom of Rain..."

"Let's make you a beautiful yet ugly puppet in this eternally weeping country!"

In the middle of a desert, the lone scorpion gradually disappeared into the distance, and the last traces he left behind were destroyed by the wind and sand.

…………

Chapter 085 Arrival in the Land of Rain

A town in the western part of the Land of Fire.

With a corpse draped over his back, Kakuzu walked step by step into the public toilet.

He stopped in front of a wall, touched it with his hand, and then pushed hard, revealing a hidden door.

This is a gold exchange, also known as the black market.

"This way, please." A bald man with a scar on his face appeared and said in a deep voice.

He then went back inside, and Kakuzu followed.

The bald man opened a cabinet that resembled a coffin and said, "Please put it here."

He then picked up a file containing the reward notice and opened it.

"Kozuki Momonosuke, that's right, he's pulled off another big heist this time, Mr. Kakuzu."

After confirming his identity, the bald man went to the back to get the money, carrying a briefcase, and then handed it to Kakuzu.

As expected, Kakuzu started counting the money one bill at a time.

"Any big bounties recently?" Kakuzu asked while counting his money.

The aroma of money gave him an instinctive sense of pleasure.

"Mr. Kakuzu has taken care of most of the big bounties, but recently someone has offered a large bounty. I just don't know if Mr. Kakuzu dares to accept it."

"Who?"

"Sakumo Hatake, 5000 million, and there is also a considerable reward for his students."

"Sarutobi Asuma, son of the Third Hokage, 1000 million ryo; Uchiha Haneda, three-tomoe Sharingan, 800 million."

As Kakuzu listened to the bounties, he weighed the options in his mind, wondering whether he should accept them.

He does indeed possess Kage-level strength, but for one person to try and defeat Hatake Sakumo is somewhat overestimating his abilities.

At this moment, the bald man whispered:

"The ninja who killed the Third Kazekage has also set his sights on Sakumo Hatake, Mr. Kakuzu."

"Where is that person?"

"The Land of Wind is on its way to the Land of Rain."