Chapter 48

Others didn't know, but Kakashi was very familiar with the Root organization.

He had almost become a member of Root.

Because of this, Kakashi was particularly wary of Danzo, the shadow in the darkness.

He didn't expect that Su Zhong had already begun to confront Danzo.

"Is this Danzo's independent action, or was it arranged by the Hokage?" Kakashi thought to himself.

Su Zhong didn't care what Kakashi was thinking. He didn't like to overthink while eating.

The food at Tazuna's house was only average, but because it was a near-island nation, there were some special ingredients. Su Zhong tasted them carefully and even decided to try them out when he had the time.

In his previous life, someone cooked for him, and the food was too good. In this life, diet became a big problem.

In his spare time, Su Zhong always pondered how to eat, and unexpectedly, he became quite skilled at cooking.

White sat beside Su Zhong, eating quietly. However, she seemed somewhat distracted, her eyes often glancing at Su Zhong.

Su Zhong turned his head and looked at White curiously, and after a moment of thought, he came to a conclusion.

"Do you want to go and say goodbye? Then go ahead," Su Zhong said suddenly.

White was startled, knowing that Su Zhong had seen through her thoughts, and no longer hid them: "Thank you, Lord. I will not reveal your secrets."

Su Zhong smiled and shook his head: "What's the harm in saying it? I have nothing to hide. I can defeat him once, I can defeat him twice."

White lowered her head and said nothing.

Sasuke was right beside them, and he heard everything Su Zhong and White said.

He naturally understood who Su Zhong was talking about. Thinking that Su Zhong didn't take the famous Seven Swordsmen of the Mist seriously, he felt a surge of heroism.

He thought, if one day I have such power, I won't be afraid of anyone. Revenge will be a trivial matter.

"This is the Uchiha!" Sasuke was invigorated.

Kakashi watched Su Zhong for a while, but seeing that Su Zhong ignored him, he didn't think too much about it. He decided to wait until they returned to Konoha.

Therefore, he proposed to Tazuna that they leave the next day.

Tazuna was initially worried about Gato's plot and was quite unwilling.

However, when Kakashi told him that Gato had disappeared without a trace, and his forces had vanished from Wave Country, Tazuna immediately felt relieved. He signed the mission receipt happily and started drinking.

Thus, everyone decided to set off for Konoha the next day.

Su Zhong looked at the excited Sakura and Naruto, and then at Sasuke, who was somewhat agitated but still relatively calm.

Su Zhong sighed inwardly. He couldn't bring himself to feel the same way.

Being a stranger in a foreign land, especially in a different world, the feeling of not belonging was even more melancholic.

Only the power within him could make Su Zhong feel at ease.

...

The sky was filled with yellow sand, and the vast desert stretched endlessly. The only color in the world was a monotonous, withered yellow.

Bleached bones dotted the desert, adding to the desolation.

In this world of endless sand, two groups of people suddenly appeared.

One of them was Orochimaru, followed by Kabuto, a white-haired man.

Centered around Orochimaru, there was a three-meter vacuum zone. The sand in the air seemed to encounter an invisible barrier.

Outside the three-meter zone, the wind blew fiercely, carrying fine sand particles. Inside the three-meter zone, it was calm, and the sand underfoot became as hard as stone.

When people stepped on it, it was like stepping on stone, leaving no trace.

Facing Orochimaru stood a man in a white robe and a hood.

He stood in the sandstorm, and the dense sand particles flew to his body and passed through it as if he were just a shadow.

"Fourth Kazekage, what is your decision?" Orochimaru's unique hoarse voice sounded sinister.

"Orochimaru, your proposal is good, but it carries great risks. If something goes wrong, it could trigger a war between the two countries. At that time, you, as a rogue ninja, can run away. But I, as the Kazekage, have to bear all the responsibility. Why should I take such a risk?!" The Kazekage's voice penetrated the sandstorm and clearly reached Orochimaru's ears.

Orochimaru was not bothered by the Kazekage's questioning: "Heh, I didn't expect you to agree. Those greedy old men, will they agree with your decision? Weren't they already putting pressure on you before you came?"

The Kazekage was silent for a moment.

Orochimaru chuckled: "Don't you feel constrained? Isn't this a good opportunity? Since the old men want to gain benefits, agree to their demands and send more people. However, how many will return depends on your mood or mine."

The Fourth Kazekage's face changed: "Orochimaru, do you think I will believe your sowing of discord? Regardless of whose subordinates they are, they are the strength of the Sand Village. How can I destroy my own foundation? Hmph!"

Orochimaru's lips curled into a sinister smile: "The strength of the Sand Village is not necessarily the strength of the Kazekage. This is a great opportunity. If we work together, even if we lose some overall strength, the benefits we gain will be enough to make you even stronger."

The Kazekage's eyes flickered.

Orochimaru closely watched the Kazekage's expression, seeing the subtle changes and knowing that the deal was done. He didn't rush, waiting for the Kazekage to make his own decision.

To become the leader of a village, one must have unique charisma. The Kazekage was a decisive and ruthless leader.

"Fine! I will send the One-Tail."

The Fourth Kazekage suddenly said meaningfully: "I know the destructive power of the leader. However, can you withstand your teacher?"

"One-Tail? The Kazekage truly has great courage." Orochimaru's golden snake eyes narrowed, and he laughed sinisterly: "As for my teacher, this is a personal grudge and doesn't need your concern. Just do your part."

The Kazekage chuckled: "I hope so."

With that, the Kazekage's body turned into fine sand and disappeared into the sandstorm.

Orochimaru looked at the vast desert and smiled enigmatically: "Kazekage? Heh."

"Let's go," Orochimaru said to Kabuto.

The two stood in place, their bodies slowly sinking and finally disappearing into the desert.

...

In the Hokage Tower, Kakashi stood respectfully in front of the Hokage.

"The situation on the way was like this. In some aspects, Uchiha Su Zhong has already reached the level of a jonin. He has found a way to deal with physical jutsu. However, he doesn't seem to have a method to counter genjutsu, hot fire jutsu, cutting wind jutsu, or electric lightning jutsu," Kakashi analyzed carefully.

"Moreover, he is very obsessed with power. His desire for revenge is very strong. I'm worried that he might leave Konoha in the future to seek revenge. He could even be used by others, posing a threat to Konoha," Kakashi's eyes flashed with concern.

The Third Hokage listened quietly to Kakashi's report, feeling a heavy heart. In just two years, an unknown Uchiha Su Zhong had completely exceeded his control.

For other ninjas, this wouldn't be a problem. As long as they were Konoha ninjas, it was normal for them to hide some of their strength.

But Su Zhong had Uchiha blood. This involved many of Konoha's secrets, and his situation had always been very delicate.

"Completely controlling Uchiha Su Zhong is no longer possible. Danzo's actions have also failed," the Hokage thought to himself.

It was a critical time, and the Chunin Exams were putting immense pressure on Konoha. He didn't have the energy to deal with Uchiha Su Zhong.

"Fortunately, there is still Root. The dark side of Root," the Third Hokage secretly rejoiced and made a decision: "I'll leave it all to Danzo."

After making the decision, the Third Hokage came out of his thoughts.

He smiled at Kakashi and asked, "How is Naruto's training going?"

Kakashi's eyes showed a hint of satisfaction: "Although his talent is not as good as Sasuke's, he is very hardworking."

The Third Hokage said, "It's good that he knows how to work hard. His talent is better than anyone else's. As long as he works hard, he will surely achieve something. Who knows, he might even become a Hokage."

Kakashi nodded without speaking. This talent was not the same as that talent. He knew what that so-called talent was.

The talent of a tailed beast, the talent of a jinchuriki!

What they needed to do was not to enhance their own power but to learn how to use their own power.

"Sasuke's talent is outstanding. It seems he has received training from Uchiha Su Zhong, and his strength has improved rapidly. He should have already mastered the Chidori," Kakashi said.

The Third Hokage's smile faded: "Chidori? What a formidable talent. Is he still thinking about revenge?"

Kakashi's eyes showed a hint of worry: "He doesn't show it, but his training is very hard. He never wastes a moment."

The Third Hokage sighed: "Hatred turns into power. Gaining power is not necessarily a good thing."

The Uchiha clan had disappeared from Konoha, avoiding a major internal conflict.

But the remaining Uchihas were not simple. Any misstep could bring great disaster to Konoha.

"You can go now. Prepare for the Chunin Exams. Don't worry about Uchiha Su Zhong," the Third Hokage said.

Kakashi was startled, knowing that the Third Hokage had made a decision.

He left the Hokage Tower as instructed.

...

In the Uchiha compound, by the large artificial lake.

A huge ice block stood in the water, and within the semi-transparent ice, a figure was vaguely visible.

Boom!

A loud explosion, and the ice block shattered. Fine ice crystals flew everywhere, and the temperature of the entire lake dropped, forming white mist.

Su Zhong walked out of the lake, his muscles trembling, and his skin rippling slightly.

Bang!

A layer of water droplets suddenly appeared around him, and the wet clothes instantly dried.

Su Zhong frowned and walked to the shore, looking at White, who was sitting on the ground, panting.

"Is this your maximum strength?"

A look of admiration flashed across White's face: "I'm sorry, Lord. This is all the power of my Ice Release."

Su Zhong nodded, thinking to himself: "The restraining force is not strong enough. White's abilities can't be improved in the short term."

He suddenly thought of the earth jutsu user he had killed and thought: "If White knew the Light and Heavy Rock Technique, it would be great. Adding a huge gravity to myself would definitely help with training."

Su Zhong's mind and body had merged, causing a miraculous change. His strength had rapidly increased, and White's restraining ability seemed insufficient.

This affected his training progress.

"Restraining? Sealing techniques seem like a good choice," Su Zhong's eyes suddenly lit up: "White, start learning sealing techniques tomorrow!"

Ice Release restraint, plus sealing technique restraint.

Su Zhong felt a surge of enthusiasm.

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