"Tch, so expensive."
It was almost noon, and Takemi, who was already prepared, headed towards the meeting point, muttering to himself.
The mission required preparation, so he decided to sharpen his blade, but he found the price a bit outrageous.
"This blade of yours is legendary. Although the Chakra-conducting material isn't cheap, you can't be half-hearted about it!"
Recalling what the boss said, he could only sigh that money was truly never enough, even though he was quite wealthy now.
"Should I open my own shop later, called 'Everything Store'?"
He touched the short sword behind him, then touched his white hair, and felt it seemed quite fitting.
"Huh, Takemi?"
Just then, he suddenly heard someone call him.
He looked up to see Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Choji looking at him with curious expressions.
Sasuke, not far away, and Sakura and Ino, who were around him, also looked over curiously.
"Oh, it's you guys."
Takemi snapped back to reality and spoke subconsciously, "Are you skipping class again?"
"...Bastard, there's no school for us today!"
Naruto's face fell, and Kiba, beside him, spoke unhappily, "I wanted to run off but due to some bastard, it's too strict now. Iruka-sensei is always watching us, damn it!"
"It's truly a deadly hassle."
Shikamaru also spoke up, and Choji was busy nodding beside him.
"Yeah, I can't even run out when I'm hungry."
"Oh, is that so?"
Takemi blinked, his eyes occasionally darting towards Naruto.
And Naruto's eyes, seemingly guilty, began to dart around. He had actually realized that he was responsible for the increased strictness, even thought he might have been tricked.
But he didn't dare to say anything. At this moment, he could only play it off.
"Yeah... yeah, haha."
"Idiot."
But as soon as he spoke, Sasuke's voice came from behind him, and Narutoinstantly bristled.
"Damn it, arrogant Sasuke!"
"Idiot."
"Hey, it's fine if you two are like this at school, but are you still like this outside?"
These two seemed to be naturally at odds. Even Shikamaru and the others looked troubled by it.
Takemi, however, found it quite interesting. Maintaining this relationship was right. Perhaps there would even be a 'Kiss of the Century' in the future.
"I have something to do, so I'm leaving. You guys study hard, don't end up not graduating."
However, looking at the time, he could only 'regrettably' choose to leave, but being kind-hearted, he offered some advice.
"Besides, your teammates might give you a ride, especially you, Naruto."
"You're a bastard too!"
Naruto couldn't hold back, but unfortunately, Takemi had already turned and waved, blending into the crowd.
"Um, that was Takemi-senpai, right?"
At this moment, Sakura, Ino, and even the very shy Hinata came closer, and Sakura asked curiously.
"Yes, it was him."
Sasuke spoke proactively for once, which surprised Sakura, and she realized that Sasuke seemed very familiar with Takemi.
However, didn't this senpai beat all his teammates into the hospital?
"Strange, when did his hair turn white?"
Ino was also a bit curious. She hadn't met Takemi before, so she didn't know, but it seemed to look better in white?
"He went and dyed it. He even tried to pull me into dyeing it with him."
Naruto had quieted down now, and he snorted softly as he looked at Takemi 's back.
"Also, is that guy going on a mission? How long has it been since he graduated? I'm so envious…"
"Indeed, and last time I saw two Jonin helping him with special training."
Sasuke also nodded. He already knew that Guy and Kakashi were Jonin, and he knew what Jonin meant.
"He'll probably become a Chunin soon, right?"
"Hey, you guys don't know?" Shikamaru opened his sleepy eyes, looking at Sasuke and Naruto in confusion.
"Aren't you guys on good terms with him?"
"Know what?"
Sasuke and Naruto looked over in confusion. Not just them, but the others also looked over curiously.
"No way, you all don't know?"
Shikamaru rubbed his head, then spoke helplessly, "Come on, he's already a Chunin."
"What?"
"Didn't he even treat Sasuke and Naruto to a meal? That day was the day he became a Chunin."
"What!"
At this, everyone looked at Naruto and Sasuke, who were both somewhat bewildered, they truly didn't know.
But soon, a burning fire seemed to ignite in Sasuke's eyes. He truly felt he was too lacking.
And Naruto gulped, suddenly remembering something.
"That guy, he said he was going to be my examiner?"
"No, are you serious?!"
.....
On the other side, Takemi had already arrived at the Konoha gate, just as Kakashi and Guy came dashing over.
"I won this time, my eternal rival, Kakashi!"
As they both reached the finish line almost simultaneously, Guy was the first to give a thumbs-up to Kakashi, laughing heartily.
"Yes, yes, you win."
Kakashi casually brushed him off, then pulled out Icha Icha Paradise from his ninja pouch.
He glanced at Takemi, who was looking at them strangely, and then cleared his throat and said, "Now that everyone's here, let's go. Takemi, you've been to the Land of Hot Water with Jiraiya-sama, so you should know it better. Is there anything you want to say?"
"Anything to say?"
Takemi was stunned for a moment, and after thinking for a bit, he spoke slowly, "Kakashi-sensei, Guy-sensei, if we're going to hot springs, can you take me to one I can enter?"
"..."
Kakashi's eyes instantly turned deadpan, while Guy looked left and right in confusion.
"Huh?"
.....
"Hmph, so this is the guy who wants my bounty?"
In a forest in the Land of Hot Water, Obito looked at Kakuzu below with some displeasure. This made Black Zetsu beside him particularly annoyed.
Black Zetsu said, "It is him, but he is one of our capable cadres, with extremely high mission execution ability. You must not act recklessly."
"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid."
Obito shook his head, looking seriously at Kakuzu below as he spoke, "I know his significance to the Akatsuki and I also know that he is a courageous person, who will stop at nothing for remuneration. Such a person is very interesting."
"You mean..."
Although Black Zetsu was worried about Obito acting recklessly, he still couldn't help but think and ask, "Pull him to our side?"
Although Nagato and Obito had reached a cooperation, they both knew they weren't on the same page. Konan's distrust of Obito was barely concealed.
Obito couldn't have not thought about better control over the Akatsuki. Itachi was a pawn, Kisame was also brought in by him, and he hoped to have more such people.
"That's right, on the surface, they will follow Nagato's command." Obito nodded, his gaze appearing profound.
"But at critical moments, to ensure the smooth progress of the plan, I need them to listen to me."
"Indeed. Itachi isn't honest, and Kisame alone is too few." Black Zetsu nodded.
Before he could continue, his other half, White Zetsu, suddenly asked curiously, "Hey, Obito, I remember your eyes were so scary before, like you wanted to kill someone, hey."
"..."
"..."
Obito and Black Zetsu both fell silent simultaneously, but a moment later, they both collectively ignored this guy, and Obito spoke, "Prepare. Try to recruit Kakuzu, and we can also try the new recruit."
"No problem."
Black Zetsu nodded cooperatively, but just then, White Zetsu said again, "Um, there's something..."
Obito said, "You better think clearly about what you're going to say, I can't guarantee I won't kill you the next moment!"
White Zetsu hurriedly said, "Well, well, don't be so scary. My other clones sensed someone coming."
"Who?"
"They're all Obito's acquaintances."
White Zetsu paused slightly here, then continued to speak with a chuckle, "I noted their Chakra. One is Kakashi, another is that brat who injured you last time, and a guy who looks like a kappa..."
(Note: Kappa is a green humanoid creature in Japanese folklore.)
Upon hearing these words, Obito's expression beneath his mask turned grim.
"Why is it you guys again?!"