Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 22 Reunion with the Executioner's Blade

After Obito Uchiha disappeared, Kakashi Hatake searched for him for a long time without success. He could only lean against a tree and gradually regain his composure as a ninja.

Kakashi Hatake frowned, first confirming that Obito Uchiha's identity was real, because Obito had said before his death that the Sharingan was a gift to congratulate him on becoming a Jonin.

The title of "Jonin Gift" was known only to him, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha. Since Rin was dead, only the two of them remained in the know.

As for the other things Obito Uchiha said, such as causing the deaths of Minato-sensei and Kushina-sensei, Kakashi Hatake's first thought was not to believe it, after all, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki had treated Obito Uchiha very kindly...

However, there are indeed many doubts surrounding the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage back then.

Kakashi Hatake gritted his teeth and slammed his fist into a nearby tree: "If we can find Obito again, we can find out the truth of what happened back then... If Obito wanted revenge for Rin, and he didn't kill me, then he must have gone to the Land of Water, or been lurking there all along!"

Based on the words deliberately left behind by Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake quickly deciphered the information he wanted.

Kakashi clenched his fist. His intelligence had always been far superior to Obito's, and he quickly concluded that he had figured out Obito's whereabouts.

Just now, Obito Uchiha was in a state of grief and indignation, and his words kept rubbing salt into their wounds, completely unaware that he had already revealed his information.

"Obito, still as forgetful as ever..."

Kakashi Hatake put his mask back on. He had located Obito's position. As long as he went to the Land of Water, he would definitely be able to find Obito, and then he could uncover all the long-buried truths.

"Senior... Shall we go back to the village?"

Uzuki Yugao walked up with a conflicted expression. It seemed that she had learned some incredible secrets today, and the purple-haired female ninja was still somewhat dazed.

"Um...wait!"

Kakashi Hatake nodded, then looked at Yugao Uzuki and suddenly said, "Please keep what happened today a secret from everyone, no matter who you're facing. It could cause turmoil in Konoha. Before I find out the truth, it must not be known to anyone else..."

Uzuki Yugao said in a deep voice, "Senior, does the Hokage also come among the 'others' you mentioned?"

"That's right, there are many hidden stories about Obito."

Kakashi Hatake rubbed his forehead and said in a low voice, "The upheaval surrounding the annihilation of the Uchiha clan is not over yet. Let's keep it a secret from the Third Hokage for now! I will report the whole story to him after I find out the truth."

"…yes."

Uzuki Yugao stared intently at Hatake Kakashi, and seeing the slight disappointment on his face, she nodded in agreement to his request.

Fearing that Obito Uchiha might encounter uncontrollable dangers when seeking revenge against Kirigakure, Kakashi Hatake, after a brief rest with Yugao Uzuki, rushed back to Konoha. He then hurriedly asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for leave and went out.

Unbeknownst to Uehara Naraku, he had done a good deed that directly led to Kakashi's early departure from the Anbu.

At this moment, Uehara had already arrived in the Land of Waves.

This small neighboring country, bordering the Land of Fire, is truly dirt poor, and I've never even heard of Kado. It seems that the tycoon Kado hasn't set his sights on this small nation yet.

Uehara Naraku immediately lost interest in this country and walked all the way to the docks of the Land of Waves. Looking at the rows of fishing boats, he asked, "How much does it cost to go to the Land of Water from here?"

"..."

The boatmen looked left and right, then shook their heads. One of the lead boatmen spoke up, saying, "Guests, the Land of Water is a closed country. The ninja lords there do not allow us to approach."

Uehara Naraku looked them over curiously and said softly, "Hmm, how much money do I need to pay you to take me to the Land of Water?"

"No matter how much money you offer, we won't go!"

"Money can be earned again, but life is only given to you once!"

"How could I possibly risk my life for a sum of money!"

The boatmen were more principled than Uehara had imagined. Living in a poor country with a low cost of living and little financial pressure, they wouldn't risk their lives for money.

Amidst the commotion, a voice suddenly rang out: "Kid, how much are you willing to pay? If the price is right, I don't mind giving you a ride."

"..."

The group of boatmen immediately fell silent.

Everyone's gaze slowly shifted, landing on a small boat at the edge of the water. On it sat a stranger whose face was wrapped in bandages. This person did not seem to be from their Land of Waves.

However, the man who spoke looked rather fierce and not someone to be trifled with, so the boatmen from the Land of Waves dared not speak up to him.

Upon seeing the man who had spoken, Uehara Naraku couldn't help but chuckle, a stack of explosive tags landing on his fingertips: "One hundred explosive tags, is that price enough?"

"..."

The man's eyes narrowed, and after a moment of stunned silence upon seeing the explosive tag, he slowly nodded: "Okay."

The price of explosive tags varies in the ninja world.

In some places, due to war, production issues, etc., the price of a single explosive tag can be as high as tens of thousands of taels; in other places, due to prosperity, the price of a single explosive tag can be as low as two thousand taels.

Uehara Naraku was incredibly generous; a hundred explosive tags could easily fetch a million ryo in a place like the Land of Water.

Of course, only ninjas would be willing to accept explosive tags.

Uehara Naraku jumped onto the small boat, looked at the bandaged man in front of him, and smiled. It seemed that he was lucky this time. First, he encountered Hatake Kakashi, and then he encountered one of Kakashi's nemesis, Momochi Zabuza.

Zabuza Momochi is still wearing the Kirigakure uniform and may not have chosen to defect yet, because he doesn't have that beautiful tool by his side.

However, this cannot be determined.

However, when Uehara Naraku lowered his head, he saw a broad ninja sword on the small boat and couldn't help but glance at Momochi Zabuza.

Not long ago, Juzo Biwa of the Akatsuki died in Kirigakure, and his Executioner's Blade was taken back by the Fourth Mizukage and then fell into the hands of Zabuza Momochi.

Zabuza Momochi noticed his gaze, but seemed unconcerned by his prying eyes. He simply started the ship's generator and left the dock of the Land of Waves.

The small boat soon reached the open sea.

Zabuza Momochi looked at Naraku Uehara and finally asked, "Kid, do you recognize this sword?"

Uehara Naraku nodded and said softly, "One of the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure, the Executioner's Blade. No matter how badly it is broken in battle, it can be restored to its original state by absorbing iron from human blood."

"..."

Zabuza Momochi grew increasingly alarmed as he listened, his eyes gradually turning cold: "Kid, it seems you know quite a bit!"

"It's just that I know a little more than the average person."

Uehara Naraku waved his hand modestly, looked at the indifferent Momochi Zabuza, and continued with a smile, "Hmm, let me think of how to address you? One of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the Demon of the Mist, Mr. Momochi Zabuza?"

Clang!

Zabuza Momochi suddenly grabbed his Executioner's Blade and held it against Uehara's neck: "Since you recognize me, you still dare to come with me to the Land of Water, brat, what exactly is your purpose?!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

I need some votes, the data is terrible!

(End of this chapter)