Who are you calling a stable boy?!

This sentence made Fugaku pause, feeling lost and unsure whether to go forward or retreat.

"Just kidding, just kidding!"

Zheng Jing took the initiative to put his arm around Fu Yue's shoulder: "Brother, you've come at just the right time. We're leaving early tomorrow morning, and we have some things to give you now."

As he spoke, he flipped his wrist and pulled out the "New Treatise on Chakra" he had written earlier from his backpack, then stuffed it into Fugaku's arms.

"You should have already heard Itachi talk about this new cultivation method. This version is a revised version of mine. Although the cultivation speed is far slower than the first version I passed on to that kid, there is basically no risk in cultivating it. Even if you have average talent, you can still learn something by just working hard."

"this......"

Fugaku looked down at the book "The New Chakra" in his hand. It was a book, but it was so hot that his hands trembled slightly.

He had privately witnessed Itachi's training results, and Fugaku still vividly remembered that incredible power.

Although Zheng Jing has said that the new version is not as fast as the first version in terms of cultivation speed, it is almost risk-free, which means it can be widely adopted.

"Master, our clan has not yet repaid the kindness you showed us before, how can we possibly accept such a generous gift now?"

"Alright, alright, take it. If you really think I, Old Zheng, have done you a favor, then from now on, lead your clan to do more good deeds and don't use this newly revised law to do whatever you want. Otherwise, not only will you be considered repaying kindness with enmity, but I, Old Zheng, will definitely come to clean house!"

"Very well, we are honored by your kindness, Master. The Uchiha clan will never forget your teachings!"

Fugaku carefully put away the newly revised law.

That night was a night of great enjoyment for both host and guests.

The next morning, just as the sun was rising, Zheng Jing and his group were already at the entrance of Muye Village, ready to set off.

The four people who came to see them off were the Minato couple and the Fugaku couple.

After listening to his mother's instructions again, and seeing her in his father's arms, looking at him with reluctance, Itachi comforted her for a few moments before returning to Zheng Jing's side.

However, when he turned around, his gaze swept towards the depths of Konoha.

"...I've kept you waiting, Master."

Turning his face back, Itachi looked at Zheng Jing.

"I'm ready."

"Then wait."

Upon hearing this, Itachi paused for a moment.

Wait?

He glanced at the line.

Zheng Jing, Aizen, Kakuzu, and him.

The four of them are all here.

What are we waiting for?

"Ah—I'm sorry—I'm so sorry!"

As the girl sped away, a panicked cry reached Itachi's ears.

He stared in astonishment at Uchiha Izumi, who was carrying luggage and panting heavily.

"I'm sorry... Master, I'm late..."

"Not late, it's even a few minutes earlier than the agreed time."

Zheng Jing waved his hand with a grin.

Upon hearing this, Itachi seemed to suddenly wake up and looked back and forth between Zheng Jing and Quan.

"Master, what is this?"

"Huh? Didn't you hear what Izumi said?"

Zheng Jingyi raised an eyebrow.

"She also wanted to travel with us, so she joined a tour group."

-

Within the Land of Fire, in the dense forest, two figures, one tall and one short, met.

"It took quite a bit of time, Scorpion."

Orochimaru smiled as he looked at his partner.

"I'll give you some time to reminisce."

Scorpion responded coldly.

"Heh, there's nothing here that I'd miss..."

Orochimaru gave a hoarse laugh.

"Let's go. I've always wanted to study Kakuzu's secret techniques in detail."

Chapter 198: Orochimaru's Astounding Wisdom!

Zheng Jing and Lao Lan decided that their next stop would be the Land of Whirlpools, which borders the Land of Fire.

Not only because the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Fire are close to each other, but also because at the farewell banquet, Minato helplessly took Kushina to Zheng Jing and asked if Zheng Jing could go to the Land of Whirlpools on his way to help Kushina deliver a letter to her clan.

The Land of Whirlpools is a rather unique small country, centered around the ninja village founded by Uzumaki Ashina, the head of the Uzumaki clan. It can be said that the leadership responsibilities of the clan head, village head, and country lord are all integrated into one.

In fact, there are quite a few small countries in the ninja world that exist in this form. However, the clan leader of the Land of Whirlpools, Ashina Uzumaki, was not only powerful but also insightful. He took the initiative to befriend Konoha and signed a friendly treaty with the magnanimous First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

Mito Uzumaki, the wife whom Hashirama Senju deeply loved, was also the first Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.

With Hashirama Senju and Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village) in place, the Land of Whirlpools was naturally peaceful and prosperous.

Unfortunately, this period of peace was short-lived. With the death of Hashirama Senju, the ninja world was thrown into turmoil once again.

The powerful sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan have long been coveted by various countries.

After Hashirama's death, Tobirama succeeded him as the Second Hokage.

Although he was strong and willing to take care of his sister-in-law's family and maintain the Fire Vortex Alliance, he often found himself alone and unable to protect the Land of Whirlpools when faced with the constant pressure from the various ninja villages.

Therefore, after Hashirama's death, the Land of Whirlpools was constantly attacked, and since then, there have been frequent incidents of the Uzumaki clan being abducted.

After Tobirama's death, it became even more so...

During the three wars, the Whirlpool Country, sandwiched between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, did not forget the alliance and defended its position, but suffered heavy losses again.

For the already small country of Uzushiogakure, this was nothing short of adding insult to injury.

The Third Hokage and Minato, who was already the Fourth Hokage, naturally wanted to help the Land of Whirlpools.

From the Hokage's perspective, the only way forward is to wait for Konoha to recover before considering whether they can help Uzushiogakure. There's no time to rush it.

Thus, Kushina, who was sent to Konoha at a young age because of her talent as a Jinchuriki, would naturally be worried about the situation in her clan, and indeed, she had not corresponded with her clan for almost a year.

After finally waiting for the end of the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha was in dire need of manpower in all aspects.

Kushina was unwilling to let personal matters interfere with public duties and never discussed this matter with Minato.

But during the dinner last night, Mrs. Meiqin reminded her that with Zheng Jing's abilities, he could go to almost any place in the ninja world. Why not take this opportunity to ask Zheng Jing for help and send a letter along the way?

It was no big deal, Zheng Jing agreed without hesitation.

Anyway, his trip with Lao Lan was initially just a casual getaway where they would wander around and relax.

However, compared to the beginning, not only are there more people traveling together now, but they also have clearance documents issued by Watergate.

This document, putting aside everything else, might be more effective than the king's own orders when crossing the borders of some small countries.

After all, some small countries don't even have a decent small ninja village, so how could they dare to provoke someone holding a certificate issued by the current Hokage of Konoha?

As for whether this certificate is fake...

good question.

What if it's not fake?

If things go wrong, you might get beaten up!

Within the Land of Fire, this travel permit grants unrestricted passage.

If anyone stops and questions him when he enters the city, he can just take out his travel document and, like the Imperial Inspector Yu Shilong leading the Imperial Guards out to unleash the Emperor's armor, he can make the city lord crawl out on the spot.

Is it impressive?

What a hassle!

As the saying goes, you can't hit a smiling face. The city lord is all smiles and fawning over you, practically calling you "sir." Even if you know what he's thinking and find him annoying, you have no right to actually kick him if he hasn't done anything wrong.

So Zheng Jing tightened his grip on the travel document after only one use.

Zheng Jing knew that Shui Men meant well, but it was best not to use this thing if possible.

However, it was this one time that made Orochimaru and Sasori realize they hadn't gone in the wrong direction.

Relying on their intelligence network established within the Land of Fire, Orochimaru and Sasori tracked down Zheng Jing and his group from the other side of the Land of Fire with minimal effort.

Because Zheng Jing and his men never concealed their whereabouts.

Because it was so easy to find, Sasori even questioned whether Orochimaru had been tricked by false information.

You can't blame Scorpion for being suspicious; just listen to the contents of that intelligence report.

What does it mean that Kakuzu is suspected of getting along well with that strangely composed team?

If Kakuzu truly betrayed the organization, how could he, who was so familiar with the organization's methods, not know how the organization dealt with traitors?

Now that they know, how could they possibly wander around the Land of Fire without making any preparations?

Did he really think that once he took off that red-cloud-patterned black robe, the organization wouldn't be able to find him?

Orochimaru, of course, had his doubts about this.

However, after he obtained firsthand information from his spy planted in Konoha, his doubts and the target he was interested in completely changed.

So, after finally catching up with Zheng Jing and his group, Orochimaru did not follow the plan he had initially discussed with Sasori and instead directly took action to eliminate Kakuzu.

-

Late at night, in the woods outside the city, Kakuzu, all alone, stopped in his tracks.

"I'm already here, what else is there to hide?"

"Ah, Mr. Kakuzu, it's been a long time since I last greeted you."

Emerging from the shadows, Orochimaru and the silent Sasori positioned themselves one in front and one behind, trapping Kakuzu in the center.

"It really is the two of you..."

Kakuzu, who had expected it to be Orochimaru and Sasori, seemed somewhat surprised.

He came here because he saw a code left by the organization in the city, which meant that he should arrive at the woods east of the city at the appointed time after midnight to meet them.

According to Kakuzu's thinking, if it were Orochimaru and Sasori who came, as he had previously thought, they wouldn't have bothered to leave him this coded message, giving him the possibility of escaping in advance.

"Surprised?"

Orochimaru asked with a smile.

Kakuzu nodded: "I'm starting to wonder, what is it that requires you, Orochimaru, to feign goodwill in order to get it from me?"

"I genuinely want to have a serious talk, but it's definitely not with you, Mr. Kakuzu."

Before Orochimaru could finish speaking, Sasori beside him—or more accurately, Hiruko, which Sasori controlled—suddenly opened her mouth.

In an instant, hundreds of tiny poison needles were spat out from Hiruko's mouth, densely attacking the bushes beside Kakuzu.

At the same time, two figures suddenly emerged from the bushes.

It was Itachi and Izumi!

The Uchiha couple, one on each side, dodged the poison needles and then attacked Sasori from both sides.

Without a doubt, Itachi was faster. He crouched down and closed in on Sasori, his eyes flashing with three tomoe as he unleashed a genjutsu.

However, Sasori within the Hiruko was completely unaffected by this illusion. The steel-boned puppet extended its steel tail spikes from its back, and with a flick of its robes, it stabbed straight at Itachi's face.

With the illusion failing, how can Itachi, unarmed, deal with Hiruko, who resembles a small fortress, at this distance?

"Bang!!"

Itachi answered with a flying kick.