Konoha Drunkard

The people around them stared at the two of them speechlessly. They had only just calmed down for a moment, and now they were fighting again.

"Don't just stand there, go for it!"

One of the leaders of the Cloud Ninja was the first to react, and with a roar, he charged towards Itachi.

"Magic - Shackles Technique"

Itachi glared at the charging leader, and the leader of the Cloud Ninja instantly froze, his eyes lifeless, until Garp knocked him down with a single punch.

.............

"Shisui, does awakening three tomoe automatically activate genjutsu skills? You don't even need to form hand seals." Shanks stared blankly at Itachi's amazing skills and asked Shisui, who was wearing an Anbu mask beside him. To be honest, he hadn't really encountered many genjutsu techniques. Because of his Observation Haki and Conqueror's Haki, genjutsu was of little use to him. The only time Madara had ever made him fall into a genjutsu was back then, but he quickly broke free.

"...Itachi already knew how to do it. He doesn't need to use hand seals because his mental strength was greatly enhanced after evolving to the three-tomoe stage. So, he doesn't need to use hand seals for most genjutsu, but he still needs to use them for large-scale genjutsu. Itachi is really amazing, evolving to the three-tomoe stage at the age of ten," Shisui explained.

"You got the Mangekyou Sharingan in your teens? Little Itachi is still a long way from evolving to the Mangekyou Sharingan! But your Sharingan is so convenient, it's practically a weapon for showing off." Shanks was even a little envious. He was naturally clumsy with his hands, and he almost ruined his other hand practicing one-handed hand seals. Even after mastering one-handed seals, his speed was only average. His ninjutsu relied on quantity, unlike others who could unleash one ninjutsu after another endlessly, wasting his amazing chakra. But once the Uchiha evolved to the three-tomoe Mangekyou Sharingan, they didn't even need hand seals for genjutsu! So cool!!

"...Lord Shanks, don't you have my grandfather's kaleidoscope? Why don't you try installing it and see?" Shisui said.

"No way, that's your grandfather's, he entrusted it to me for safekeeping. How can I use it carelessly? What if you go blind one day and I'll have to replace it for you?" Shanks shook his head. The Kaleidoscope was good, but it wasn't the Eternal Kaleidoscope, so it was pretty useless. It would be ruined after a few uses. It wasn't as satisfying as using his strength to fight head-on. He could just mess around with it.

"Don't worry, I won't use it unless absolutely necessary, and my eyes won't go blind," Shisui said.

"You're still so young, you have decades to live. Who knows what might happen? Besides, I'm not an illegitimate child of the Uchiha clan, there would be a rejection if I were attached to him. Look at Kakashi now, he's always getting weak in the knees, even more pathetic than his father." Shanks pouted.

"......"

Zhi Shui looked up at the sky and didn't respond. He couldn't just say anything bad about his superiors; he still had to continue working in the secret service. One was the department head, and the other was his captain. It wouldn't be good to say anything either way.

486. Danzo's efficiency is truly high.

"By the way, Lord Shanks, will Itachi be okay to evolve into the Three-Tomoe form in this situation? I'm worried about Danzo..." Shisui then thought of the Uchiha clan in Root, wondering what Danzo and the three old guys were up to.

"I don't know if the Uchiha will be in any trouble, but Itachi will definitely be fine. Danzo may be shady, but Itachi is my student, so he'll have to give me face, unless he's not afraid I'll summon my second uncle to deal with him." Shanks shrugged.

"I wonder what Danzo is up to. Could it be that Root is really short-handed?" Shisui had been keeping an eye on Danzo and the Uchiha of Root for the past few years, but he hadn't discovered any underhanded tricks from Danzo. After the Uchiha joined Root, they just did what they were supposed to do.

"I don't know either. I haven't paid attention to those messy things since I retired. If Garp hadn't beaten up the Shimura clan's son-in-law last time, I wouldn't know how many more Uchiha there have been in the last few years. But those three old Uchiha guys are probably going to get tricked by Danzo again. I've never seen Danzo and the Uchiha get along peacefully in all these years." Shanks patted Shisui on the shoulder.

"Then what should we do?" Shisui became even more worried after hearing Shanks's words.

"Who knows? We don't even know what Danzo is up to right now. But this is your business. I've been busy with this for most of my life." Shanks looked at Shisui, his meaning clear: you can't come to me for everything. I'm not here to run the Yorozuya. Besides, he's long disliked the Uchiha clan. It's just that those three short-lived bastards who bullied Haruko died young. Otherwise, he would have liked to go and give the Uchiha a piece of his mind first.

"........."

Shisui gazed silently at the sky. He had actually intended to ask Shanks to deal with Danzo, but since Shanks had already spoken to him so bluntly, what could he say? He had also considered using the Mangekyou Sharingan to control Danzo, but while Kotoamatsukami was powerful, its release time was too long and it would be easily detected. Danzo was as shrewd as he was; he wouldn't be so easily controlled. Besides, the cooldown was too long. If he failed once, he would have to wait ten or twenty years to try again. Ten or twenty years later, who knew if Danzo would even still be alive...

........

Meanwhile, Danzo, seated in the VIP section, kept his eyes fixed on Itachi's figure, his eyes darting around as if deep in thought. One hand, wrapped in a white cloth, clenched into a fist inside his sleeve. Itachi's talent was simply too overwhelming; at only ten years old, he had already evolved to the three-tomoe stage. If only he could be brought into his Root, he would be far stronger than those Uchiha he had cursed. However, the thought of Itachi currently serving in the Anbu, and being Shanks's disciple at that, dampened Danzo's spirits. Shanks was simply too powerful; a few years ago, he could send the Nine-Tails flying. Now, Danzo couldn't even be sure if Shanks's strength had declined. If he brought his disciple into Root, and Shanks went and destroyed Root, all the years he had built up would be gone, and he might even be destroyed along with him. Danzo thought about it for a long time, but ultimately, reason prevailed. He couldn't touch Itachi yet.

"Don't mess with Itachi Uchiha," Hiruzen Sarutobi whispered a warning. As his best friend, he knew perfectly well what Danzo was up to, seeing that Danzo's eyes were fixed on Itachi the whole time. He knew that Danzo had sealed Itachi's tongue in Root, and he was also wary of the Uchiha clan, so he turned a blind eye. However, messing with Itachi and Shisui Uchiha was out of the question. Not only would Koharu Utatane disagree, but Shanks wouldn't tolerate it either. Konoha might even have to split up.

"Hmph! I don't need you to teach me how to do things."

Danzo gave a haughty snort and simply closed his eyes, thinking that out of sight, out of mind, he was afraid that if he looked at them for too long, he really wouldn't be able to resist.

"...Any news about your people?" Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject.

"Not yet, but it should be close." Danzo shook his head with his eyes closed. The people he sent to Takigakure had been gone for more than a month. To be on the safe side, he also had the Uchiha's three-tomoe technique trap a lone Takigakure ninja in a genjutsu to find out the location of the Jinchuriki. Judging by the time, it should be about right.

"It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early." Danzo had just finished speaking when a person wearing a headband from the Takigakure ninja rushed over and whispered a lot in Takigakure's ear, causing Takigakure's facial expression to change constantly.

"...What's wrong, Lord Takikage? Why do you seem so troubled?" Minato asked curiously, noticing the change in Takikage's expression.

"...Hokage-sama, I wonder where Shanks-sama is right now? I have something urgent to discuss with him," Takikage said excitedly, gripping Minato's hand tightly.

The village was in dire straits; it was hard not to be agitated. When misfortune strikes, even drinking water can be difficult. Last time he went back to discuss it with his underlings, more than half of them disagreed with the deal. Did they really think they were easy targets? 600 billion! Are you kidding me? This is just taking advantage of them. There's no way his underlings would agree. Therefore, he hadn't given Minato a direct answer.

Who knew that this disaster would happen just over a year later? Several ninjas, suspected to be from the Iwagakure ANBU, somehow entered the village. No one knows how they found out the location of the Jinchuriki. Anyway, this morning, the Seven-Tails suddenly escaped from their village and started demolishing things. If the Tailed Beast escapes, how could the Jinchuriki possibly be alright? The ninjas left behind in the village were no match for the Seven-Tails. Compared to the village, he was definitely going to be the sucker. Otherwise, when he went back, he would really be all alone.

"The teacher is still in the stands. If you need anything, just tell me. I'll do my best to help Konoha," Minato said, putting on a kind and helpful demeanor.

“This…” Takigakure looked around. Everyone was looking at him with curiosity.

"...For some reason, the Seven-Tails suddenly broke free from its Jinchuriki's seal and is causing chaos in our village. Please inform Shanks, Hokage, that I agree to this deal." Although it was embarrassing, for the sake of the village, Takikage gritted his teeth and said it in public.

"Impossible! I was the one who sealed the Seven-Tails back then. As long as the Jinchuriki isn't dead, the Seven-Tails can't possibly break free from our Konoha's sealing techniques." Koharu Utatane said decisively. Takikage hadn't finished speaking; wasn't this damaging Konoha's reputation? How could they do business after that?

"Right, Lord Takigakure? But what happened? The sealing technique that sealed the Seven-Tails can also seal the Nine-Tails; there couldn't be a problem. If you don't finish your sentence, isn't this damaging Konoha's reputation? Who will trade with Konoha in the future?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly. His good buddy's efficiency was truly impressive; he had barely asked about Takigakure and something really had happened!

487. Asking for an exorbitant sum.

"I don't know the situation either. My men only found a few traces of what looked like Iwa ninja in the village, and then the Seven-Tails came out. Hokage, please help me inform Shanks, the situation is urgent!" Takikage said excitedly.

"Kigenma, go and inform our teacher to come here. Takikage-sama, don't worry. What's done is done, there's no use dwelling on it now. We should be thinking of a solution." Minato said to Takikage after instructing Kigenma.

"Your Takikage tried to assassinate our First Hokage, serves you right for being tricked!" Minato thought to himself as he watched Takikage pacing anxiously.

.........

"Lord Shanks, the Hokage requests your presence." Shanks was watching the battle below with Shisui when Genma appeared behind them.

"What is it now? I still have to preside over the raid," Shanks said.

"The Seven-Tails from Takigakure has escaped..." Kenjiro said, but Shanks had already disappeared by the time he finished speaking.

The big deal has finally arrived, but it's a bit late, so I can't place my bet yet. But it's better than nothing.

"What's going on? Hello, Daimyo, it's been a long time. Huh? You're having a masquerade ball?" Shanks appeared in the VIP section, looking at the Fire Country Daimyo and Wind Country Daimyo, who each had a pair of panda eyes. The Earth Country Daimyo and Lightning Country Daimyo also had dark circles under their eyes. Only the Water Country Daimyo looked the most normal.

"Haha, long time no see! This match was so exciting, we were all caught up in the atmosphere too," the Fire Country Daimyo said with an awkward laugh.

"Sigh! The daimyo are men of character too," Shanks chuckled.

"Red-haired Lord! You have to save our Takigakure Village!" Shanks had barely finished speaking when Takigakure rushed over, hugging Shanks' leg and wiping his snot and tears on Shanks's bright red trouser leg.

"Let...let go, damn it, this is my favorite outfit, Takikage-sama, please put it down." Shanks couldn't break free from Takikage's strength, and looking at the snot on his trouser leg, he felt disgusted.

"Red-Haired Lord, I agree to our deal. Please go and save our Takigakure Village now," Takigakure said tearfully, releasing Shanks's leg.

"...Lord Takigage, don't be hasty. Have a cup of tea and calm down so we can discuss this slowly. Our original deal was to buy insurance from me, promising to clean up any messes if something went wrong. But the situation is different now. The Seven-Tails has already escaped. Don't you think it's too late to buy insurance now? I warned you before that sealing the Seven-Tails should be done carefully, but you didn't listen to me. It pains me, and when I'm heartbroken, it affects my condition. I'm getting old, and I can't adjust my condition as easily as I used to. So, let's find a time to sit down and talk about this deal after the exams." Shanks found a place to sit down and said slowly. He wasn't in a hurry at all. After all, the Seven-Tails wasn't destroying Konoha. It would be better if the Seven-Tails destroyed Takigakure before escaping.

"Lord Shanks, we can't wait any longer. Name your price, and I'll agree to it." Takikage was in no mood for tea and waiting. The Seven-Tails was still demolishing the village. If they waited any longer, the village would be destroyed, and the Seven-Tails would escape. The ninja world was so vast; where would they find it? They had no ability to capture the Seven-Tails.

"Snapped!"

"That's straightforward! 120 billion, I'll take care of the Seven-Tails for you, no bargaining." Shanks had been waiting for Takikage to say that.

".hiss!"

Everyone in the VIP seats gasped when they heard Shanks announce the price, even the wealthiest daimyo of the Land of Wind. Although a hundred billion was nothing to him, it was still money. Seeing Shanks casually mention a hundred billion, it would be too much for him to count even a hundred billion leaves.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed a few times, choked by the stench. This bastard really dared to shout. He had wanted to swindle Takikage, but he didn't dare to think about more than 100 billion. He thought he could swindle a hundred or two hundred billion more.

Shanks looked at the crowd around him with disdain. "A bunch of uncultured people. If they don't ask for an exorbitant price, how are others supposed to bargain?"

"This... Lord Shanks, even if you sold me, you couldn't come up with over a hundred billion. Besides, our village needs to be rebuilt afterwards. Where would we get that much money?" Takikage said with a mournful face. If the Seven-Tails hadn't come out to carry out the demolition, he might have been able to come up with the money, but now that the Seven-Tails was demolishing things and the village needed rebuilding, if he came up with that much money, the village wouldn't be able to rebuild. Their Takigakure Village isn't like other ninja villages that have the support of a daimyo. Their Takigakure Village is the Land of Waterfall; there's no such thing as a daimyo. It's all thanks to Takigakure Village that he's essentially the daimyo of the Land of Waterfall.

"Well... how much can you possibly offer at most?" Shanks really wanted to slap this Takigakure to death. Couldn't you even try to haggle? Why did you have to be so blunt? You don't understand the essence of business at all. How could someone like this become a Kage? Takigakure really has no talent left.

"Seven...seven hundred billion, Red-Haired Lord, that's all I can offer right now," Takikage said hastily.

"Goodbye and don't come back!" Shanks was shocked when he heard the number. They had worked so hard to plan all night and ended up swindling an extra 10 billion, which was less than what the Daimyo of the Land of Wind had contributed!

"Eight hundred billion! Red-Haired Lord, this is the final amount. If you are not willing, we will have no choice but to give up this Seven-Tails. At worst, I will rebuild the village after it leaves." Takikage was also getting anxious.

"Give half the deposit to my son-in-law first, and pay the balance after the deal is done." After Shanks finished speaking, his figure disappeared from the VIP seats. The next second, he appeared on the border of the Land of Fire and headed towards Takigakure. He wasn't afraid that Takigakure would renege on the debt. What a joke! The person who dared to renege on his debt hadn't been born yet.

It's been many years since I last visited Takigakure. Thankfully, the huge waterfall is still there, otherwise Shanks would have really lost his way.

"boom!"

"boom!"

As they approached the massive waterfall, they could faintly hear a deafening roar emanating from within. While the Seven-Tails was timid, it only cowered when outmatched. Against a group of weaklings, it would become a fearsome, arrogant creature. When Shanks arrived at Takigakure, the village was indeed completely destroyed. A gigantic beetle was wreaking havoc in the center of the village, and the surrounding Takigakure ninja dared not approach, instead throwing kunai at the beetle from afar, seeing who could throw the most accurate.

488. I was beaten to tears again.

"Who are you? Get out of here right now." Shanks had only been there a short time when a dozen or so Takigakure ninja appeared in front of him, the leader of the group saying.

"You don't recognize me? You're really out of touch!" Shanks looked at the Takigakure ninja who had just spoken as if he were a rare animal. Although he hadn't appeared in the ninja world for many years, which ninja village didn't have his information? The ninja leading the group looked to be middle-aged, and with his distinctive appearance, Shanks didn't even recognize him.

"You...you are...you are Kakuzu, that traitor?"

Upon hearing Shanks's words, the leader of the Takigakure ninja carefully examined Shanks. After a long while, he seemed to realize something and looked at Shanks warily as if he had just understood.

"boom!"

"...Fuck your grandpa Kakuzu! Your whole family is Kakuzu, and is there anyone as handsome as me among them?!" Shanks initially thought the leader of the Takigakure ninjas recognized him when he saw him suddenly realize something. But this guy actually mistook him for that ugly Kakuzu. He instantly raised his sleeve and appeared in front of the leader of the Takigakure ninjas, delivering a powerful punch to that dog's head, nearly killing him. How could he mistake him for Kakuzu? Is he blind?

"Konoha...the Red-Haired Lord?"

A middle-aged ninja next to the leader of the Takigakure ninja asked in a low voice, "Red hair, three scars on the left eye, it looks familiar, but I'm not sure, I'm afraid I'm mistaken and I'll get beaten up like my older brother."

"Your eyesight is quite good, unlike him who lies through his teeth," Shanks praised.

"I'm so sorry, Lord Red-Haired, my elder brother's eye was shattered by the Seven-Tails, so he didn't recognize you. May I ask what brings you here? Our village is currently being ravaged by the Seven-Tails," the middle-aged Takigakure ninja explained.

"Alright, I'm magnanimous and won't hold it against you. It's because your village was demolished by the Seven-Tails that your Takigakure invited me to help you deal with it. Hurry up and prepare some good food and drink while I take care of the Seven-Tails. I've come all this way, and my stomach is still empty!" Shanks pouted. He hadn't expected her to be so blind; no wonder she mistook his handsome face for Kakuzu...

"Great! I'll have someone prepare right away. I'll leave the Seven-Tails to Lord Shanks!" After the middle-aged Takigakure ninja finished speaking, he whispered a few words to the Takigakure underlings behind him, and then the underlings went to make preparations.

"Have your sealing team prepare as well, I don't know any sealing techniques." Shanks said before charging towards the giant beetle.

"Superpower Armament: The Iron Fist of Love!"

"boom!"

"Hey! Big Beetle! Long time no see, do you still remember me?" Shanks shaved his way to the top of Seven-Tails' head and slammed it to the ground with an iron fist.

"Ouch! Ouch! Which damn bastard hit me!"

Seven-tailed Fox roared angrily, its head bearing a huge bulge.

"Yo ho! Looks like being sealed away for a few years has dulled your brain too. Let me remind you." Shanks raised his dark iron fist and charged at the Seven-Tails.

"Bastard! Die!"

Seeing Shanks, who looked like an ant, so dashing, the Seven-Tails dragged its massive body toward Shanks, its seven or eight legs slashing at Shanks like enormous scythes.