Chapter 31: The Best Worker - Kakuzu

Chapter 31: The Best Worker - Kakuzu

"Almost there," Kenichi smacked his lips, certain that the "almost" referred to nothing other than the imminent night of the Nine-Tails' rampage.

What was the reason for Minato Namikaze's short life? There were actually many factors, such as not having as thick a skin as the Third Hokage, or encountering a disciple who had been manipulated into losing his wits, and a darkened version at that.

As everyone knows, turning dark multiplies one's strength several times over. Obito Uchiha, who was not considered strong in Minato's team, became incredibly powerful after his transformation, successfully unleashing the Nine-Tails with his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Kenichi remembered that it seemed to be because Obito saw Rin Nohara die at the hands of his friend Kakashi Hatake, which led to his successful dark transformation and the emotional turmoil that advanced him to the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Was it really like that? At least that's what the Naruto commentary that Kenichi watched said.

But it's undeniable that the appearance of the Nine-Tails was the last straw for Minato. If the Nine-Tails had been resealed, perhaps Minato would not have died, and Konoha would have taken a different path.

Minato had Kage-level strength, as did the Third Hokage, and even Danzō Shimura, despite being the scum of the shinobi world, had real power. Faced with such a lineup, the Hidden Cloud Village would probably not dare to cause trouble recklessly.

Moreover, Minato was not like the Third Hokage, who always preferred peace and would tolerate and concede in everything. Other villages would need to think twice before causing trouble.

"Alright, today's experiment is over. Remember to write the experiment report later," Orochimaru wiped his hands, his interest in the First Hokage's cells having waned.

If it weren't for the cooperation with the Root division, Orochimaru wouldn't even want to deal with this matter, especially since his disciple had given him a new research direction recently.

"Okay, teacher," Kenichi had no objections. This underground laboratory was established in cooperation with the Root division, and it was full of prying eyes, not suitable for his own affairs.

Once he officially left the village, Kenichi could then focus on his research. Although he had secret funding from the Root division, it was still not enough.

Kenichi had his own plans. He thought the Akatsuki organization was a good choice. Nagato's Rinnegan, the Gedo Statue, and those who joined Akatsuki, which one didn't have research value? And there was no need to worry about funding, thanks to Kakuzu .

With that said, Akatsuki was indeed a good place to go. There were research targets, research funds, and wasn't Nagato always thinking about making the world feel pain to achieve peace in the shinobi world? Kenichi had some little things that might interest Nagato. Then, he could get funding from Konan for research every day, which would also delay Black Zetsu's plan. It was like killing several birds with one stone.

"But Akatsuki, huh," Kenichi scratched his head. He hadn't even left Konoha yet, so it was pointless to think about these things for now. It was better to think about how to stir up some trouble on the night of the Nine-Tails' disturbance.

Although he was definitely going to leave Konoha, that didn't mean Kenichi planned to leave just like that. It wouldn't be bad to take some things before leaving, such as the Nine-Tails' chakra, the blood of the Inuzuka, Aburame, and Hyūga clans, and even trying to get his teacher to take the forbidden jutsu scrolls to make some reserves.

After all, he was going to defect from the village anyway. Taking the forbidden jutsu scrolls would still make him a rogue ninja, and not taking them would be foolish.

Of course, Kenichi wouldn't really take them away; recording some jutsu would be enough, otherwise, the pursuit from Konoha would be different.

After leaving the research base, Kenichi returned to the village's shops. The Nine-Tails' disturbance was imminent, and soon he and his teacher would have to prepare to leave.

Kenichi didn't have much attachment to Konoha, except for the local cuisine. The tri-colored dumplings and Ichiraku Ramen were very good, but it was a pity that he wouldn't be able to come back for a long time after leaving.

So he planned to eat well during this time as a reward for his hard work.

"Kakashi?" Just as Kenichi walked into Ichiraku Ramen, he saw the silver-haired Kakashi. He was dressed in plain clothes today, probably not on a mission.

Kenichi was a bit surprised, but after thinking about it, it didn't seem strange. The production period for the jinchūriki was approaching, and this was a major event in Konoha.

The Anbu and Root ninjas sent out, as well as the jōnin, except for those who were really unreachable or whose missions were at a critical moment, had basically been recalled.

"The Fourth Hokage is really cautious, but it's a pity," Kenichi smacked his lips, then ordered a bowl of tonkotsu ramen and sat down.

Kakashi still had that lifeless look, and Kenichi knew that starting a conversation would be pointless, so he didn't bother.

However, to Kenichi's surprise, Kakashi took the initiative to sit next to him.

Kenichi looked at Kakashi in amazement. Kakashi was lifeless and showed no intention of speaking, which made Kenichi even more puzzled.

Then there was a long silence until Kakashi's ramen was served, and he finally spoke.

"My teacher told me to make more friends," Kakashi suddenly said, causing the corner of Kenichi's mouth to twitch. So sitting silently next to him was his way of making friends?

Is that how you make friends? If it were outside, he would probably be called crazy.

"Aren't we friends already? We have been since before," Kenichi showed a hint of 'honesty' that was just right, something he learned while hanging out with Guy.

Guy was the kind of person who was hard to be wary of because his thoughts were all on his face. He would say directly what he wanted to do, which, if put nicely, was called having a pure heart and treating people with sincerity.

To put it unpleasantly...

Well, Kenichi thought it was quite simple to be friends with Guy, and there weren't so many calculations, just pure friendship. He didn't want to say anything bad about his friend.

Anyway, that's how Guy was now, and Kenichi found his expressions quite useful at times, so he learned them, not expecting them to come in handy now.

Kakashi was stunned for a moment when he heard this. His lifeless eyes inadvertently glanced at Kenichi, then saw that honest expression.

It was almost as if he was about to give him a thumbs up and show a shiny smile.

"Hmm," Kakashi looked at Kenichi, feeling that this disciple of Orochimaru was very similar to Guy, no wonder they could get along.

(End of Chapter)