Konoha Drunkard

"boom!"

Kakuzu crashed to the ground again, transforming into a monster resembling a lump of rotten flesh. Another monster from the original form took on Kakuzu's appearance.

"Damn it." Kakuzu broke out in a cold sweat. He felt like this brat was anticipating his next move. It always seemed to know exactly how he would do it, and the brat's attacks were incredibly powerful, almost as strong as the Raikage's. Each strike shattered one of his hearts. Now he only had two hearts left.

"Hmm! You are a worthy opponent. To show my respect for you, I have decided to use my strongest secret to settle this with you!" Shanks said with a serious expression.

Then, he pretended to slowly form hand seals. Upon seeing this method of forming hand seals, Kakuzu's eyes narrowed, and he immediately ran away without the slightest hesitation.

"Water Release... the Technique to scare Kakuzu to death..." Shanks shouted as he sensed Kakuzu had run away.

"Damn it! Ah!" Kakuzu, who had run far away, knew he had been tricked when he heard Shanks' voice. That bastard didn't know Wood Release at all.

Just now, Kakuzu saw Shanks' Wood Release hand seals, and a bad memory resurfaced in his mind, so he dared not gamble on whether Shanks knew Wood Release. If he didn't know Wood Release, he wouldn't be a match for him; if he did, then he was finished, after all, Shanks of Konoha was a famous figure. Who knew that at the end, he heard Shanks shout and realized he had been tricked, but he could only endure it.

"Tch! What a coward!" Shanks closed his eyes and searched for the kunai connection points on Tsunade's body.

The next moment, his figure disappeared and reappeared beside Tsunade.

"How is it?" Tsunade asked. Those around Shanks looked at him with admiration. Even from a distance, they had seen the battlefield—fire and water, massive sword energies soaring into the sky, lightning flashing—it was a catastrophe. They hadn't expected the two to be so powerful. Orochimaru felt it most keenly: "The captain is probably about as powerful as the teacher!"

They breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Shanks appear, knowing he had won.

"Well, the guy who escaped from your grandfather's clutches must be pretty strong. We couldn't kill him, so he got away," Shanks said, shrugging his shoulders.

Actually, Shanks could kill Kakuzu if he didn't run away, but even if Kakuzu did, Shanks couldn't do anything about it; five hearts are too troublesome. Shanks' Shave technique is for close-range teleportation, but he can't handle long-range attacks. If he relentlessly pursued Kakuzu to the ends of the earth, Kakuzu would surely die. No one who could match Shanks' stamina has yet been born.

However, Kakuzu had no grudge against him, so breaking three of his hearts was enough.

Moreover, Kakuzu isn't that powerful. Once you know his weaknesses, he's just an average Kage-level fighter.

He was probably able to escape from Hashirama Senju back then because Hashirama Senju was too lazy to chase him.

"What do you mean 'not bad'? It's amazing!" Jiraiya was shocked. Those ninjutsu and sword energy from before were simply earth-shattering.

"His abilities are very strange. Be careful if you encounter him in the future. But I don't think you'll run into him. He's so afraid of death. He'll stay far away from any Konoha ninja he sees in the future," Shanks said with a sinister smile.

Kakuzu is indeed very afraid of death. Otherwise, he wouldn't have refrained from attacking Konoha after escaping from Hashirama Senju in the original story, until he joined Akatsuki and was protected by the Rinnegan, at which point he dared to venture out.

"Let's get going and finish the mission quickly, lest something unexpected happens again," Shanks said.

Nothing unexpected happened until the daimyo's wife was returned to her residence, and the encounter with Kakuzu even made the mission more successful.

The difficulty increased, so the B-rank mission was upgraded to S-rank, and the daimyo also spent a lot of money to make up for the bounty.

Shanks was speechless. Sure enough, hanging out with the protagonist of this era never ends well. The probability of encountering a Kage-level enemy on a B-rank mission is lower than Danzo becoming Hokage, and he still managed to run into one. He definitely shouldn't take on these long-distance missions next time.

It was all Jiraiya's fault, Shanks blamed. Jiraiya was getting creeped out by Shanks.

"Damn it, I only like women!" Jiraiya's legs trembled.

"boom!"

Shanks punched his dog on the head.

"I also like women."

"Captain, was that guy really strong?" Orochimaru asked Shanks at this moment.

"Well... how should I put it? He's an S-rank rogue ninja from Takigakure, and he loves money. Because he possesses Takigakure's forbidden technique, Earth Grudge Fear, his abilities are very strange. All I know is that it allows him to have five hearts, each of which can unleash an S-rank ninjutsu of a different element. And to kill him, you have to kill all five hearts, which is very troublesome. I only managed to destroy three of his hearts before I ran away with him. Once you know these weaknesses, he's pretty average," Shanks explained.

"And it's also time to let you know the range of strength among ninjas. You're all genin, chunin, special jonin, and jonin, right?" Shanks asked.

The three nodded.

"Above Jonin are Elite Jonin. These ninjas are stronger than Jonin, but there's no clear-cut range. After Elite Jonin are Quasi-Kage, like Danzo and Sakumo. Above Quasi-Kage is Kage-level, like your teacher and the Kage of the Four Great Ninja Villages. Kakuzu, whom we encountered before, and I are all at this level. However, even Kage-level ninjas vary in strength. Kakuzu is the kind of Kage who, if you don't know his weakness, could be killed by his trickery; if you do know his weakness, he's just an average Kage. Above Kage-level is Super Kage, which is even more ambiguous. Currently, we only know about the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha." Shanks explained to the "Gambling, Drugs, and Prostitution Gang."

"If that's the case, then how did you and Sakumo assassinate the Second Kazekage?" Orochimaru asked again. Tsunade and Jiraiya also looked at him curiously. They had heard about the incident, but they didn't know the details.

"That's why I say you can't judge ninjas by common sense. At the time, Sakumo and I were probably just Jonin, but our abilities were different. Without knowing Shamon's abilities, Sakumo was overwhelmed by Shamon, while I, because of my Armament Haki, couldn't be harmed by Shamon's puppets, rendering their poison ineffective. Afterwards, Shamon had to focus on suppressing Shukaku, which is why we were able to kill him. So, the strength levels I mentioned to you are the normal, conventional classifications, but ninjas are often not to be viewed in the conventional way. If Sakumo had known Kakuzu's weakness, he could have defeated Kakuzu too," Shanks said, looking at the three of them.

"What does this mean? It's giving me a headache." Jiraiya scratched his head.

"It means that there are different levels of strength, but not different levels of ninjas. As long as the plan is good, unless the gap is too big or the ninja is too invincible, the weak can kill the strong," Orochimaru said calmly.

"That's roughly the idea. Unless someone is like Madara Uchiha or the First Hokage, with no weaknesses and too invincible to be defeated by brute force, no one is unkillable if the plan is well-thought-out." Shanks said, looking at Orochimaru with admiration. He added in his mind, "I'll be there for you later!" Shanks felt a surge of satisfaction.

"Alright, that's enough for today. Knowing too early has its pros and cons. Strive to surpass me, you foolish teammates!" Shanks was getting cocky again.

After hearing Shanks' theory of power levels, the "gambling, prostitution, and drugs gang" began training while traveling the next day. Shanks would occasionally remind them not to push themselves too hard. Like Shanks, they were too young to make much progress without overexerting their bodies. Itachi Uchiha died because he overexerted his potential and body at such a young age; otherwise, not everyone could become a Kage at the age of 12.

Shanks was able to reach the level of a Kage at the age of 12 without overdrawing his physical potential by relying on the rules of two worlds.

Under the rules of the Naruto world, Sakumo becoming a near-Kage at the age of 12 was already the pinnacle.

Because his body has no bloodline limits, his peak period will definitely not last long, and his body will age very quickly.

However, the "gambling, prostitution, and drug gang" won't encounter Sakumo's situation. Jiraiya can also cultivate Sage Mode, and toads' Sage Mode has strong regenerative abilities that can withstand aging. Tsunade's Yin Seal is a significant delay in physical aging. As for Orochimaru... Orochimaru changes bodies like it's nothing. Shanks, excluding the Six Paths' mother and her will, probably has the longest survival time among all characters in Naruto...

...........

The four of them traveled and enjoyed the scenery for three months before finally returning to Konoha. Shanks left the other three behind to report to Hiruzen Sarutobi. After all, Kakuzu had made an appearance this time, and he needed to inform Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"How was it? Did you run into any trouble along the way?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked as he entered.

"Ah, we ran into someone who was beaten up by the First Hokage. His abilities were a bit strange, which is why he got away," Shanks said.

"Oh? How strong are you?" Hiruzen Sarutobi knew the mission had changed when he saw Shanks come in, otherwise Shanks wouldn't have come to the Hokage Building for no reason.

“He’s probably a Kage-level fighter. If you know his weakness, Sakumo can defeat him. If you don’t, he can outmaneuver you and kill you. You know about the Earth Grudge Fear in Takigakure, right?” Shanks said with a sinister smile.

"I know a little. Back then, Takigakure sent an elite Jonin to assassinate the First Hokage, but the First Hokage let him go. Later, it was rumored that Takigakure's forbidden technique, Earth Grudge Fear, had been stolen," Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled.

"Ah, the one I encountered was that elite Jonin who assassinated the First Hokage. However, because he stole the Earth Grudge Fear technique, he reached Kage level. His abilities are very strange. He has five hearts, and each heart can form a very ugly monster. Each monster knows an S-rank ninjutsu of a certain attribute, which can form an S-rank hybrid ninjutsu. Moreover, you have to kill all five of his hearts to kill him. Otherwise, even if you kill four of his hearts, it won't matter, as he can just find new ones to replenish them," Shanks laughed.

"Hiss!" Hiruzen Sarutobi gasped. This was considered ordinary? If he couldn't kill it in one go, he'd gain five more lives. This was fucking bizarre!

46. ​​Cousin, I'm asking you to play "ask for flowers" and "ask for favorites" tomorrow.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a headache coming on just thinking about it. He himself was a genius at using five-elemental combination ninjutsu and knew how terrifying this kind of person was. This kid actually said his strength was average; he seemed really arrogant.

"How did you run into him? A ninja of his caliber shouldn't accept a bounty of this level." Hiruzen Sarutobi asked curiously.

"He's a very money-grubbing person. I mean, if you offered him enough money, he might not assassinate Onoki, but he would definitely go and assassinate a high-ranking member of Iwagakure," Shanks said, pursing his lips.

"I invited Mirror to the Land of Rain before, and now the Land of Rain is also causing trouble..."

After saying this, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved to him, telling him to leave.

Shanks didn't say anything and left directly. Judging from Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, he was preparing to plot something. However, Mirror had returned, but he was still nowhere to be seen; it seemed the matter in the Land of Rain was serious. Shanks went to Sakumo to inquire and learned...

He was invited to the Land of Rain by Hiruzen Sarutobi, but for some unknown reason, he was hunted down by all the Rain Ninja. In the end, he and Hanzo of the Salamander, the current leader of the Rain Ninja, were both severely injured. He only returned to the village to recuperate three months ago.

Shanks knew that Kagami must have awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, otherwise, with his near-Kage strength, it would be difficult for him to be hunted down by all the Rain Ninja, plus Hanzo of the Salamander. If he hadn't awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, he would have been finished long ago.

"Could it be... that's how Uchiha Kagami died?" Shanks sighed inwardly. Mainly because the original story didn't mention how Uchiha Kagami died. And having been in this world for so many years, many of his memories were hazy.

He wasn't a saint. If it were any other Uchiha who got into trouble, he would have just sat there and laughed. But Kagami was different from other Uchiha. He was someone who valued the village above his clan.

Besides, Kagami had secretly bought him alcohol before. As for treatment, the best medical ninja in the village right now is Koharu Utatane. Given their relationship, they can't possibly not do their best to treat him. Whether he recovers or not is up to fate.

Shanks isn't a god; at most, he'll help take care of his son and grandson, preventing them from dying young.

..........

He hadn't been back for half a year, which meant he hadn't seen Haruko for half a year. Shanks left the Hokage Building and found the kunai connection point on Haruko's body: ←↓→↓→↑←↓→.

He instantly appeared in Haruko's office, but this time, very much like Shanks, he teleported to Haruko's lap and sat directly on her lap. Luckily, no one was in her office.

"Get down quickly. When did you get back?" Haruko was startled when Shanks suddenly appeared on her lap and pushed him down.

"There's no one around, and we'll get married when we're 14, so what's there to be afraid of?" Shanks was pushed to the ground by Haruko.

"Who said I'd marry you when I was 14? Shameless!" Haruko rolled her eyes at him.

"Haha! If you had any shame, you wouldn't even know who you'd be having kids for now," Shanks laughed.

"...Did you just get back? Go back and rest quickly," Haruko said with a smile, patting him on the shoulder.

“You’re free right now, why don’t you skip work with me?” Shanks said.

"No, I need to take inventory of the medicines later. A lot of newly promoted mediocre players have been injured recently, and we're using up the medicines too quickly." Haruko looked like she was very busy.

“I’ll head back now. You can’t stay up too late; Grandma Inoue still needs your care,” Shanks said.

"Okay, I understand. You can go back and rest," Haruko said with a smile.

Although Shanks and Haruko don't see each other often, Shanks won't force Haruko to leave the hospital. Since she enjoys working at the hospital, he'll let her stay. It's not dangerous, and even after they get married, it'll be the same. Shanks won't force Haruko to stay home and be a stay-at-home mom.

Shanks thought this was fine; everyone had something to do, and no one would complain about not having time to spend with him. Shanks' missions were always long, like this one, which lasted half a year. He couldn't let Haruko stay home bored for half a year. If he did, it might cause a conspiracy like the Uchiha clan's, with people debating whether the child was Uchiha Yuta's or Uchiha Kagami's...

Shanks returned to the Senju clan's territory, where the population was dwindling. People were either scattered and assimilated into the village by Mito with the help of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, or they were killed while on missions. In ten years or so, the Senju clan would be wiped out. Now, only the Senju Koma family and one other clan member who stayed behind to take care of Mito remained in the clan's territory.

Shanks went to find Mito first.

From behind Mito came Shanks's sly, mocking voice, "Hey beautiful, guess who's back?"

“Kurama knew that right at the entrance of the clan’s territory,” Mito rolled her eyes at Shanks.

"Kurama? Is that the nine-tailed fox inside your belly?" Shanks asked, feigning confusion.

"Hmm, but after all these years, she's finally willing to talk to me." Mito touched her belly.

"I have a question. Kurama is in your belly, which means he's from the same generation as Kima. But he hasn't been born yet, so wouldn't he be my cousin? Cousin, come and call me cousin." Shanks looked at Mito's belly.

"That bastard dared to take advantage of me, I'll kill him!" Nine Lamas.

"Haha! Kurama, don't be so murderous. Shanks was just joking," Mito laughed and said to Kurama.

"What did it say?" Shanks asked curiously.

“He said you’re cute.” Mito ignored the turmoil inside her stomach caused by the Nine-Tails.

Mito's seal wasn't as weak as Minato's, which allowed only half of the Nine-Tails to wreak havoc inside Naruto. Even Naruto's mother's seal wasn't that weak.

"Impossible! Shukaku and I are brothers. He told me that Kurama is just a useless tsundere. When we were kids, if it weren't for the old man of the Six Paths stopping him, he would have been beaten to a pulp by Shukaku!" Shanks started spouting nonsense again.

"Mito Uzumaki, let this brat in. I want to fight him one-on-one!" Kurama couldn't stand it anymore.

"Alright, that's enough," Mito glared at him. Mito knew perfectly well he was spouting nonsense again. Shukaku the One-Tailed Beast and he were brothers? Shukaku the One-Tailed Beast wanted nothing more than to blow him to ashes.

"Mito Uzumaki, let him in!" Shanks can stop, but Kurama can't.

"What's the point of arguing with a child?" Mito said to herself.

"That brat, I'll settle the score with him one day." Nine-Lama held a grudge.