Chapter 69

"Let's go, don't waste time." Sasuke's face was expressionless. Since he had decided to leave, he should do so as soon as possible to avoid further trouble.

Since Orochimaru attacked Konoha, Sasuke had been recuperating in the large house.

It wasn't long before Tsunade returned to Konoha with Naruto and took over as the Fifth Hokage.

Sasuke knew the whole process; Naruto had already boasted about it to him.

Sasuke didn't care much.

However, he knew that with the Fifth Hokage's succession, the once turbulent Konoha had stabilized again. The scattered forces began to become orderly, and Konoha's defenses would become increasingly perfect and strict. If he delayed too long, he might not be able to leave.

Kakashi had been visiting frequently and occasionally counseling him.

This behavior, besides genuine concern, clearly had a monitoring aspect.

If it were in the past, he would have been more convinced by Kakashi's words.

But under Su Zhong's influence, he increasingly disagreed with Kakashi's words.

Different paths, different plans. Since that was the case, it was better to make a decision early.

He glanced back at the huge Hokage Rock not far away, a determined look flashing in his eyes. Tightening his gloves, Sasuke resolutely turned and left Konoha without looking back.

...

"Sir, the Root reports that Sasuke has fled the village." In the cold underground space.

Tobirama listened expressionlessly.

When his subordinate mentioned the Uchiha, his stiff face twitched. Then it returned to its wooden state as if nothing had changed.

"I know, you can go now." Tobirama said indifferently.

The subordinate hesitated for a moment: "Sir, according to tradition, we need to report to the Hokage. We..."

Tobirama gave him a cold look.

The subordinate immediately bowed his head, his eyes behind the mask full of fear.

"I deserve to die!"

Tobirama neither confirmed nor denied.

"I will personally inform the Fifth Hokage about this. The Root should remain on standby." After saying this, Tobirama fell silent.

The subordinate bowed and quickly left the underground space as if pardoned.

Tobirama stood still, with no intention of reporting to the Hokage.

"The damned Uchiha Akio, if it weren't for you, how would I have lost my advantage? Otherwise, this Hokage would be mine." Tobirama was filled with resentment.

He looked up at the ceiling with disdain.

"Uchiha Itachi has fled, he must be going to Orochimaru. This matter is left to you to handle, let's see how you, the Fifth Hokage, will deal with it!"

Orochimaru had defected from Konoha and attacked it again. Before Tsunade returned, there was another conflict. The two sides had deep-seated conflicts. If they clashed, both would be damaged, which was what Tobirama wanted to see.

If Tsunade didn't discover Uchiha Sasuke's defection in time, it wouldn't matter.

It would even be better, as Tsunade would bear the responsibility for the oversight. He could seize this opportunity to gain an advantage.

Thinking about this, a smile appeared at the corner of Tobirama's mouth.

...

"What did you say? Uchiha Sasuke has defected?" Tsunade slammed her hand on the table, frowning at Kakashi.

Kakashi's eyes were filled with guilt.

Sasuke was his student and subordinate, and now he had defected to the enemy, which was a failure in management.

Moreover, he had noticed Sasuke's abnormal behavior early but didn't make adequate preparations, allowing Orochimaru to lure Sasuke away.

This was not only a loss for Konoha but also a disaster for Sasuke.

He felt he hadn't done his job well.

Tsunade glared at Kakashi, then withdrew her gaze, her expression stern.

"It's too late to talk about it now. Go after him! Hopefully, we can bring him back. As long as he returns, it's not too late. Call Shikamaru."

Tsunade acted decisively, quickly arranging the pursuit team.

Everyone left, leaving Kakashi alone.

"Is there still someone from the Uchiha clan?" Tsunade's expression was serious.

In the few days since her return, she had learned some information about Su Zhong through village intelligence, which shocked her.

"Indeed, it's Uchiha Akio. This person, due to severe injuries, cannot produce chakra, but he has developed a unique taijutsu training method. His strength is formidable! His taijutsu power is no less than Might Guy's!" Kakashi answered solemnly.

"Has he also defected from Konoha? Will Sasuke go to him?" Tsunade suppressed her shock and analyzed carefully.

Kakashi thought for a moment and said, "I don't think so. According to the information from the Anbu, the ones who took Sasuke away were the Sound Four. They are Orochimaru's people."

Kakashi cautiously looked at Tsunade, seeing no reaction, he continued.

"Moreover, from what I understand, Orochimaru and Uchiha Akio have a grudge. And..." Kakashi suddenly stopped.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, listening intently.

"And what?"

Kakashi's eyes flashed with complexity. "I have interacted with Uchiha Akio. This person is terrifying. He only pursues power, and there is no good or evil in his heart. As long as you don't provoke him, he generally won't harm others."

"Then why did he kill the Anbu and defect from Konoha?" Tsunade said coldly.

Kakashi hesitated.

Tsunade noticed his hesitation. "What else?"

Kakashi narrowed his eyes and cautiously looked around.

Tsunade frowned. "They are the Fourth's people."

Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief. The Fourth Hokage was his teacher. The Anbu around them, being the Fourth's people, meant they had the trust of the Third and Fourth Hokages. Kakashi could be at ease.

"Those dead were not just Anbu."

Tsunade suddenly understood. She subconsciously looked down.

Waving for the anxious Kakashi to go after Sasuke, Tsunade's lips curled into a smile.

Connecting the dots, Tsunade quickly understood why the resistance to her becoming Hokage was so small. It was because of the loss of strength.

She owed her quick stabilization as Hokage to the defected Uchiha Akio?

Thinking of Uchiha Sasuke leaving Konoha again, her good mood vanished.

First, catch him. If he dares to harm Konoha, he will be eliminated! Tsunade's eyes flashed with cold determination.

She was now the Hokage of Konoha.

...

Su Zhong's toes touched the ground, and his body, like a weightless leaf, floated forward.

His black robe flapped in the wind. If not for his spiky hair, he would look like a sage riding the wind.

Behind him, White struggled to keep up, practicing the Body Flicker Technique as he ran.

He hoped to increase his speed even more.

Seeing Su Zhong's flying ability, White felt his own speed was too slow.

If a real battle broke out, he would be a liability.

"White, where is our next stop?" Su Zhong, floating a few meters off the ground, moved in a straight line.

With the Silent Killing Technique to reduce air resistance and the Air Boost to increase assistance, Su Zhong's ability to float in the air was greatly enhanced.

While his speed didn't increase much, it was enough to save energy.

"Shallow Valley," White answered immediately. He had been arranging the route for some time.

"Perfect, let's rest there for two days," Su Zhong said.

White followed silently behind Su Zhong without objection.

Their skills were not inferior, and although the wilderness had no paths, their agility made it no different from flat land.

While the vast and quiet wilderness was good, staying too long could be boring, unlike the comfort of human settlements.

Su Zhong never wasted time on training. But when resting, he never neglected himself. Why sleep on the grass when there were clean and comfortable houses?

Soaking in a hot spring inn was much more comfortable than roughing it.

Thinking of delicious food, he quickened his pace.

White, who knew Su Zhong's personality well, smiled and followed suit.

Boom!

A huge wind column suddenly attacked from the right.

Su Zhong's face changed, and he leaped forward dozens of meters, quickly escaping the range of the Wind Release.

White reacted just as quickly, instinctively using the Body Flicker Technique to vanish from his spot.

He remembered Su Zhong's requirements. He continuously used the Body Flicker Technique to change positions and completely concealed his presence.

He soon hid in the treetop of a large tree.

Watching from the side, not being a burden, was what Su Zhong required, and White followed this.

Su Zhong's expression was not good.

His eyes showed some helplessness. He wondered who hated him so much.

There were many ruthless killers, but there were even more who feared death.

He had learned from the previous waves of assassins that two groups had placed large bounties on his head at the underground bounty office.

The bounty from Konoha was understandable. He and Tobirama had no major conflicts, but he had to eliminate the other side!

What puzzled him was that there were others placing bounties on him.

Su Zhong had been in this world for a while, but he spent most of his time training, and he didn't know why someone would hate him so much.

He had reviewed his time in this world and had some suspicions.

But that was something to deal with later. Dealing with the endless assassins was what he needed to do now.

Su Zhong stopped hiding and, after the Wind Release passed, he walked along its path.

Beside a large road, in a basketball court-sized clearing, two men in black robes with red clouds sat.

In front of them was a fire, with two branches with twigs stuck in the ground. A long, thin branch was placed on top.

A golden rabbit, dripping with oil, was skewered on it.

Surprise flashed in Su Zhong's eyes as he immediately recognized the two men.

Kakuzu and Hidan, the Death Duo of the Akatsuki.

Su Zhong's helplessness increased. These two were not simple opponents. Now, the high bounty had finally attracted serious players.

"Are you that Uchiha Akio?" Hidan held a black and red scythe in one hand and a rabbit leg in the other.

He stuffed meat into his mouth and impatiently shouted at Su Zhong.

"I'm not to blame for killing you. You came at the wrong time, when I was hungry. This is disrespectful to the evil god, and this is a sign. Surrender your life to the evil god. If I'm in a good mood, I might give you a rabbit leg. Be grateful, mortal! This is the mercy of the evil god!" He waved the rabbit leg in his hand, full of arrogance.

Su Zhong smiled apologetically, as if to say, "Sorry for disturbing your meal."

He opened his mouth and said, "Crane Hand!"

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