Chapter 47

Su Zhong brought Bai back to the Zuna family home, unexpectedly finding everyone still there.

Seeing Su Zhong, Kakashi frowned, clearly detecting a strong scent of blood.

"Zabuza, you're back so early, why didn't you go to train?" Su Zhong asked, puzzled.

Kakashi, hiding his concern, said nonchalantly, "The bridge construction has been progressing rapidly. Tomorrow is the final and most critical stage. Kato might send people to cause trouble. I let them rest for half a day to recover their strength."

Su Zhong nodded in understanding and turned to Zabuza, "How's your Chidori training going?"

A flash of joy crossed Zabuza's face, "I've found a way in, and I'll master it soon."

Su Zhong nodded, thinking of the sudden assassination, he couldn't help but remind, "Zabuza, spend more time and improve your strength as soon as possible."

Zabuza was taken aback, his eyes flickering for a moment, then he nodded silently in agreement.

He had lived with Su Zhong for two years and had a good rapport.

He sensed something from Su Zhong's tone.

"Hmph! That's nothing special. I've already completed the tree-climbing exercise. I'm almost done with the water-walking too!" Naruto pouted, loudly proclaiming with disdain.

Sakura secretly punched Naruto hard, "How can they be the same? Zabuza is learning advanced ninja techniques, while you are learning the basics."

"What's the difference..." Naruto's face turned red as he stubbornly argued.

Kakashi stared at Su Zhong, his eyes narrowing, and cautiously probed, "Qiu, did something happen?"

Su Zhong smiled wryly. Despite having washed off the blood, Kakashi, who was accustomed to life and death, immediately noticed Su Zhong's abnormality.

"Nothing, there was a problem during training. I'll go back to my room to think. Notify me when it's time to eat."

Su Zhong finished speaking and, without waiting for Kakashi to ask more questions, turned and walked to his room.

Bai silently bowed to everyone and followed Su Zhong closely.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed; he was very certain that Su Zhong was hiding something.

But if Su Zhong didn't say, he had no way to find out.

In the room, Su Zhong sat cross-legged on a cushion.

He first thought about today's assassination.

This was definitely a ripple from the clan extermination incident years ago. Since Danzo could send the Root, it meant the Third Hokage had not intervened.

Not intervening was the same as tacit approval!

"It seems even the Third, known for his kindness, is afraid of me, this unstable factor," Su Zhong said with a self-deprecating smile.

A cold smile appeared on his face, "The unstable one is not me, but human hearts. If Danzo had not provoked me, would I have gone to kill his Root?"

His fists clenched, and the smooth skin immediately bulged with muscle contours.

His strength had made a breakthrough.

It was like climbing a step, and he now had the possibility of moving forward.

"It's not the right time yet, I must endure for now," Su Zhong thought to himself.

Although he had killed all the attackers in a fit of rage, Su Zhong was not arrogant enough to think he could deal with Danzo.

Not to mention Danzo's strength, which was not inferior to the Third's. The Sharingan on his right arm was enough to be a problem.

Moreover, Danzo's right eye had been replaced with Uchiha Shisui's genjutsu eye.

Su Zhong had not yet found a way to counter genjutsu and did not want to die without knowing why.

"However, since the old man dared to send people to kill me, he must pay a price!" Su Zhong said with a cold smile.

The advantage of knowing history finally showed. Su Zhong knew that not long after returning to Konoha, Orochimaru would attack.

At that time, Konoha would be in chaos, which would be a good opportunity to secretly deal with Danzo!

"I might have to make a deal with Orochimaru," Su Zhong muttered to himself.

...

In a dark and damp underground passage, a square tunnel led to an unknown place.

The walls were covered with many strange lines, chaotic yet strangely regular.

At regular intervals, oil lamps burned quietly, and the faint incense rose with the flames, permeating the tunnel.

Thud... thud... thud...

Slow and steady footsteps echoed in the dim tunnel.

A young man with white hair and glasses slowly emerged from the darkness.

His steps were steady, and he walked at a uniform pace to a door, which he pushed open and entered.

Inside was a spacious room, unlike the dim tunnel. Soft lighting made the room bright.

There were several tall bookshelves around, and four or five long tables on the ground, with glass containers on them. The containers held colorful liquids, emitting a special glow, making the room particularly eerie.

A middle-aged man with black hair stood at a table, busily working. Various liquids were skillfully mixed in his hands, occasionally emitting a faint white smoke.

"Lord Orochimaru, it's time," the young man with white hair bowed and reminded softly.

Orochimaru ignored him and continued his experiment.

The young man with white hair seemed very familiar with this reaction and walked straight to the adjacent experimental table to start organizing the messy equipment.

After about half an hour, Orochimaru finally stopped.

Holding a bottle of light green liquid, Orochimaru's face was filled with fatigue, "Kabuto, how is the plan going?"

Kabuto put down what he was doing and turned, "It has been carried out according to the plan. All aspects are ready, and the next step is to contact the Kazekage."

"Very fast," Orochimaru's voice was hoarse, his tone ambiguous.

He casually threw the bottle to Kabuto, "This is Kimimaro's medicine. Use it in measured doses."

"Yes, Lord. Kimimaro's condition is getting worse, and he may not be able to hold on this time," Kabuto said, looking at the medicine in his hand.

Orochimaru was silent for a moment, "What a great ability. Pity."

"The best ability is the Sharingan," Kabuto said, putting away the medicine.

Orochimaru extended his long tongue and licked his lips, "Indeed, for me, the Sharingan is perfect. With it, I can make up for my shortcomings."

"By the way, I heard there is more than one Uchiha survivor?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.

Kabuto chuckled, "His name is Uchiha Qiu. He was severely injured, and his cells were deprived of oxygen for too long. As a result, his body underwent a mutation, and he cannot produce chakra. He is as good as dead."

"No chakra? What a pity. I thought I had another option," Orochimaru said with a hint of regret.

"Lord Orochimaru, there's nothing to regret. There was no mention of him in the previous Uchiha intelligence. He's probably not a genius. What's the point of getting an ordinary Uchiha?" Kabuto said with disdain.

Orochimaru chuckled, saying nothing, clearly agreeing.

Strength is the only thing that matters.

"It seems we need to talk to the Kazekage. Kabuto, activate all the plans!" Orochimaru said calmly.

The fanaticism of his research was gone, and Orochimaru regained the aura of a powerful ninja. His golden eyes narrowed, and a cold gaze shot out.

"Yes!" Kabuto's eyes flashed with determination, and he respectfully responded.

...

"You say the mission failed?" Danzo's voice was like the cold wind of the polar region.

"Yes!" The Root ninja with a strange dog face knelt on the ground, respectfully answering.

Danzo was silent for a long time before slowly speaking, but without the previous coldness, "The name Uchiha is truly strange. Even a chakra-less waste can stir up a storm. Truly worthy of being a founder of Konoha."

The dog-faced Root ninja obediently knelt on the ground, motionless.

"In the past, I always thought he was just a troublesome insect. Now it seems I underestimated him. If so, I must treat him seriously," Danzo said calmly.

Without any contempt, Danzo quickly put aside his extra emotions. Truly seeing Su Zhong as an enemy meant he would use his rationality to deal with Su Zhong!

"You may go," Danzo said.

The dog-faced ANBU instantly disappeared from the spot.

Danzo stood still, eyes closed, thinking quietly.

"It seems I need to rely on Orochimaru's power," Danzo looked at his right arm and laughed lowly, "But it's just another deal."

He looked up at the ceiling, "Soon, soon, my big day is coming."

He sneered, thinking to himself, "Sarutobi, your kindness brings not forgiveness but hatred. What will you choose when you face your most valued student again?"

...

"That guy didn't come, he's too cunning, making me, Naruto-sama, wait here," Naruto said, stuffing barbecue into his mouth and talking nonstop.

Dazuna's cheeks were flushed from drinking, and he looked at the few people in front of him with a smile.

"I really have to thank you all. The bridge is officially completed, and the Land of Waves is saved," Dazuna said excitedly.

"No problem, no problem, it was just a small effort," Naruto waved his hand carelessly, looking very relaxed.

Kakashi nodded, "It's just a mission. And we didn't do much."

Kakashi was telling the truth. They only encountered two ambushes on the way there. After that, it was calm!

Afraid of Kato's schemes, Kakashi had secretly investigated Kato's forces.

But he found that they had already left.

Burying his doubts, Kakashi focused his gaze on Su Zhong.

Too many things had happened on this mission.

The mysterious Su Zhong suddenly burst with great strength, actually facing and defeating Zabuza in a direct confrontation?!

"Is taijutsu really that powerful?" Kakashi couldn't help but wonder.

Maito Gai's taijutsu was powerful because of the chakra enhancement. But Su Zhong used only physical strength.

When did physical strength become able to counter jutsu?

Moreover, the scent of blood from yesterday was still fresh in his memory: "Who was he fighting?"

Kakashi had secretly observed the battle site. What shocked him was the trace of the Shadow Bind Jutsu.

"Could he have been fighting Konoha ninjas?!"

The Shadow Bind Jutsu was a signature jutsu of the Nara clan of Konoha.

"Who are they? Why did they conflict with Su Zhong? Coincidence or planned action?" A figure with bandages and a cane suddenly flashed in Kakashi's mind.

"Root?!" Kakashi was startled.

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