Chapter 176: Sasori of the Red Sand's Revenge! (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Votes)
While Sarutobi Asuma was busy at the research base, the Chunin Exams had already concluded.
Ninjas from the major hidden villages began to leave Konoha one after another. The once exceptionally lively Konoha started to feel a bit "deserted," making many Konoha merchants somewhat unaccustomed to the change.
Ichiraku Ramen, in particular, which was responsible for hosting the eating contest, no longer had the scene of crowds.
Of course, the income from this period was equivalent to the past six months. Although tiring, Ichiraku was overjoyed.
Glancing back at the photo of the undisputed first-place winner, Ichiraku couldn't help but praise, "As expected of Lord Asuma!"
At the research base.
The System automatically popped up.
Sarutobi Asuma smiled knowingly.
The "Number One Big Eater in the Ninja World" achievement was secured!
One free attribute point, one free skill point, and one designated constitution attribute point.
Constitution +2!
Skill points inventory: 6!
"It seems I need to find ways to earn more achievements..."
Sarutobi Asuma looked at his experience points.
He had accumulated over 2.56 million, still far from 4 million.
Closing the System, Sarutobi Asuma continued his work. In the blink of an eye, it was noon.
"Asuma, Sakumo-teacher is seriously injured!"
Yūhi Kurenai's anxious voice startled Sarutobi Asuma.
"What?"
Sarutobi Asuma blinked in a daze, then his figure vanished, appearing directly beside Tsunade at the Konoha Hospital.
His Shadow Clone stationed at the Konoha Hospital was also there.
"What's the situation?"
Looking at Hatake Sakumo on the hospital bed, Sarutobi Asuma asked solemnly.
"Lord Asuma, Sakumo-sama's liver is damaged, but it's not fatal, or rather, for Lady Tsunade, it's not an untreatable condition."
"The most dangerous thing is that Sakumo-sama was poisoned, and it's been quite some time, over two days now. Multiple organs are already failing, and the potent poison has infiltrated his brain!"
The one answering Sarutobi Asuma wasn't Tsunade or the Shadow Clone, but Yakushi Nonō, who was assisting with the treatment.
Meanwhile, Tsunade was busy transferring life force to Hatake Sakumo to maintain his organ function.
The Shadow Clone's palm covered Hatake Sakumo's forehead, preventing the poison from further encroaching on his brain and drawing out the poison.
"Analyzing the poison composition and preparing an antidote isn't difficult, but it requires time, and we don't have any. The poison's erosion of Sakumo-teacher is too severe."
The Shadow Clone spoke.
"Understood!"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded, then raised his hand. Beneath his palm, a Truth-Seeking Ball appeared, which he then pressed into Hatake Sakumo's heart.
Pfft!
Smoke rose, and then Tsunade discovered that the potent poison within Hatake Sakumo was rapidly dissolving and disintegrating.
"What is this..."
It was the first time Tsunade had seen this black sphere possess such terrifying healing capabilities.
Yakushi Nonō was even more astonished, rendered speechless.
Tsunade immediately examined Hatake Sakumo, who was still unconscious, and found that the brain cells damaged by the poison had been completely revitalized; they had regenerated.
"Sakumo-teacher will need a little more time to wake up. Let's talk outside."
Sarutobi Asuma said.
The group left the ward. Kakashi, who had been anxiously waiting outside, immediately stepped forward.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine!"
Sarutobi Asuma said with a smile.
Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Lady Tsunade, Asuma, Nonō-senpai, thank you all!"
Sarutobi Asuma smiled, then asked solemnly, "How did Sakumo-teacher sustain such severe injuries?"
"With his strength, there aren't many ninjas in the entire Ninja World who could inflict such heavy damage on him."
Kakashi had already gathered the information and said in a deep voice, "We don't know who the opponent is yet, but according to Kamui-senpai, who brought Father back, the opponent is a puppet master!"
"A ninja from Sunagakure?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
Kakashi then added, "One of the puppet master's puppets seems capable of using Magnet Release Bloodline Limit!"
"A puppet using a Bloodline Limit?"
Tsunade and Yakushi Nonō were both surprised.
At that moment, Shizune and Yūhi Kurenai arrived. After hearing this, the two women exchanged a look. Yūhi Kurenai spoke, "There aren't many in the Ninja World capable of using Magnet Release Bloodline Limit. A puppet master... that puppet couldn't be Sunagakure's Third Kazekage, could it?"
Everyone present was startled by this.
The Third Kazekage being made into a puppet was truly astonishing.
Kakashi stated gravely, "Sunagakure's human puppet, the disappearance of the Third Kazekage triggered the Ninja World War, and Sunagakure's genius puppet master, Sasori of the Red Sand?"
Sarutobi Asuma said calmly, "The Ninja World might have more than just Sunagakure's puppet masters, but one who can create a human puppet, and that puppet possesses Magnet Release Bloodline Limit... I fear it can only be Sasori of the Red Sand."
"Furthermore, his parents were killed by Teacher Sakumo during the Second Great Ninja War."
"It's no wonder Sasori of the Red Sand would seek revenge against Teacher Sakumo."
Just then, Namikaze Minato also arrived. After understanding the situation, he said, "Notify Sunagakure, jointly issue a bounty, and track Sasori of the Red Sand together."
Kakashi immediately responded, "Teacher, leave the mission to go to Sunagakure to me!"
Namikaze Minato hesitated for a moment before nodding, "You go and notify Shisui and Yamato. Once your father wakes up and we get specific intel, head to Sunagakure immediately."
Kakashi immediately accepted the order, "Yes!"
Half an hour later, Hatake Sakumo woke up, confirming that they had indeed encountered Sasori of the Red Sand.
At the time, the Hatake squad had encountered a trap, and Hatake Sakumo was responsible for covering their retreat.
The reason he was rescued was that his two companions abandoned their mission, gritting their teeth and returning to save him, which is how Hatake Sakumo was brought back.
"You must be extremely careful of this Sasori of the Red Sand. His puppet techniques have likely surpassed Sunagakure's Chiyo, especially that puppet capable of wielding the same Magnet Release as the Third Kazekage."
"Also, beware of his potent poison. Once poisoned, one loses their combat ability in a very short time."
Hatake Sakumo solemnly warned Sarutobi Asuma and the others.
"Don't worry, Teacher. We'll prioritize developing an antidote," Sarutobi Asuma said with a smile.
He wasn't worried about Sasori of the Red Sand at all. That guy hadn't turned himself into a puppet yet.
And even if he did, dealing with him wouldn't be difficult.
The key was finding Sasori of the Red Sand!
Since he didn't have Sasori of the Red Sand's chakra information, he couldn't conduct a large-scale search using Electromagnetic Sensing Technique. They still needed to rely on intelligence from Konoha and Sunagakure first.
That afternoon, Kakashi and his two companions departed Konoha for Sunagakure.
Sarutobi Asuma temporarily set this matter aside and continued with his own training.
The next day.
Kakashi and his two companions arrived at Sunagakure, delivering news that shocked Sunagakure's higher-ups.
Even though they had previously suspected that the disappearance of the Third Kazekage was closely related to Sasori of the Red Sand, they never imagined that Sasori of the Red Sand would turn the Third Kazekage into a human puppet.
The Fourth Kazekage immediately declared Sasori of the Red Sand an S-rank rogue ninja of Sunagakure and, in conjunction with Konoha, issued a bounty of a staggering 50 million Ryo!
Subsequently, the two great ninja villages began to cooperate, using the battle location as a center and searching outwards for Sasori of the Red Sand's whereabouts.
Thanks to the esteemed reader "Shu Zhengshu" for the donation!!!
-----------
Machine Translation by: beta.randomtranslator.com
Read 1400+ original & fanfic translations and Translate for Free at: www.randomtranslator.com