Konohagakure.
Inside the training room, Sarutobi Asuma opened his eyes.
"Kakuzu has joined the Akatsuki, and as expected, Sasori of the Red Sand has joined too..."
This was not unexpected for Sarutobi Asuma. This was the most opportune time for the Akatsuki to recruit Sasori of the Red Sand.
After all, Konoha and Sunagakure were searching for him everywhere.
Even the other major ninja villages were quietly searching, especially Kumogakure.
Because of the Third Kazekage's puppet!
Unfortunately, in terms of intelligence gathering, even the major ninja villages couldn't compare to the Akatsuki Organization, or perhaps Zetsu!
"So he's hiding in the Land of Rain now..."
Sarutobi Asuma pondered, then transmitted the entire piece of intelligence to a Shadow Clone, instructing the clone to inform Namikaze Minato.
Sasori of the Red Sand might escape today, but he wouldn't escape tomorrow.
Once he left the Land of Rain and started acting outside, it would be his death day.
However, Sarutobi Asuma wouldn't make a move himself.
With Kakashi, Shizune, and Yūhi Kurenai, it was enough!
He just didn't know if Sasori of the Red Sand would be in his complete form by then...
With that thought, Sarutobi Asuma continued his training.
Hokage's Office.
Upon receiving the intelligence, Namikaze Minato carefully considered it before ordering a reduction in the search for Sasori of the Red Sand, focusing instead on the Land of Rain.
Although Sasori of the Red Sand's whereabouts were now known, they couldn't directly charge into the Land of Rain and alert him.
Land of Rain.
Upon receiving the news from Zetsu, Uchiha Obito couldn't help but curl his lips under his mask, thinking to himself, "That Kakashi is really pathetic, failing to take down Sasori of the Red Sand first."
Back then, Konoha's White Fang, who abandoned his mission for his comrades, was his hero!
"Asuma also didn't make a move. It seems he's leaving it to Kakashi."
"That's good. I'll see how much progress Kakashi has made by then."
...
Meanwhile, inside a tall tower.
"The weather here is rather annoying."
Sasori of the Red Sand couldn't help but complain. Immediately after, he saw two figures emerge from the darkness.
Deva Path Pain and Kakuzu.
"This is the leader of our Akatsuki, Pain, the wielder of the Rinnegan that controls life and death!"
Konan introduced him to Sasori of the Red Sand.
"Rinnegan?"
"This legendary dōjutsu actually exists?"
Sasori of the Red Sand looked at Pain's pair of purple, circular eyes with a hint of shock, then broke into a smile: "It seems this organization isn't bad."
Then, he turned to Kakuzu and asked, "So, who is this strange-looking fellow?"
Kakuzu stared at the position of Sasori of the Red Sand's heart, exuding a dangerous aura: "What an arrogant brat, not showing any respect for his seniors!"
Sasori of the Red Sand's pupils contracted slightly, and he was startled: "What's this guy's background... he's a bit dangerous!"
Deva Path Pain then said, "This is Mr. Kakuzu, someone who hails from the Warring States period. He once clashed with Konoha's First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and is a powerful individual with an immortal body!"
Konan then added, "Sasori of the Red Sand, the most brilliant puppet master in the Ninja World, and currently the strongest in Puppet Technique. The one who nearly killed Konoha's White Fang."
"So it's you, Sasori of the Red Sand..."
Kakuzu turned to Deva Path Pain and said, "I'm starting to regret it."
"If I took this guy down, I could have earned fifty million Ryo."
"Moreover, this guy's heart should be quite good and could serve as part of my collection!"
This was so Kakuzu!
Deva Path Pain listened and said calmly, "Konoha and Sunagakure probably won't give you fifty million Ryo; they'll likely kill you instead."
"You attacked Sarutobi Asuma twice back then."
Sasori of the Red Sand also stared at Kakuzu, his smile gradually becoming fiery and perverse: "Someone from that era is still alive? An immortal body, how interesting... it seems we share the same view of art."
Deva Path Pain said, "It seems you have a common understanding. From now on, you two will form a team and carry out missions together!"
Kakuzu said indifferently, "I have no objections. However, I can't guarantee that his heart won't become a part of me someday."
"I'm very interested in your body too," Sasori of the Red Sand chuckled. "I hope to study it inside and out and create the perfect eternal artwork!"
Deva Path Pain and Konan paid no mind to the exchange between the two, which was beneficial for them.
This would allow the two to monitor each other, preventing them from betraying the Akatsuki Organization.
"Is the next target Orochimaru?" Konan asked.
Deva Path Pain nodded. "That's right, but that guy Orochimaru is quite well-hidden and his whereabouts are unpredictable."
"Orochimaru?" Sasori of the Red Sand chuckled, "Perhaps I can offer a little help!"
Konan and Deva Path Pain both turned to look at Sasori of the Red Sand.
Sasori of the Red Sand said, "I once had a pawn planted in Sunagakure. Before I could use him, he was captured during the last Ninja World War."
"His excellence was noticed by Orochimaru, and he should now be in one of Orochimaru's bases."
Deva Path Pain nodded. "Excellent!"
"Then, have that pawn send over information. Once we confirm Orochimaru is at that base, we'll pay him a visit together!"
Kakuzu listened, unable to help but sigh inwardly, "The wheels of fate are truly hard to change. Although Kabuto wasn't brought into Konoha, he instead fell into Orochimaru's hands one step earlier."
"Now that he's being trained by Orochimaru, no one knows what the future holds."
...
Konohagakure.
In front of the waterfall.
Sarutobi Asuma watched with a smile as Tsunade, Yūhi Kurenai, and Shizune engaged in offense and defense.
The sparring between the three women with their different styles was truly a pleasure to behold.
At this moment, all three were using Taijutsu, or rather, the Monster Strength Ninja Taijutsu that shared the same origin.
Undoubtedly, even if Shizune and Yūhi Kurenai teamed up, they were completely at a disadvantage against the fierce Tsunade.
But this was also normal.
Although Shizune had put effort into Taijutsu due to her relationship with Sarutobi Asuma, her talent was not very good, and the Monster Strength could not be effectively utilized by her.
On the other hand, Yūhi Kurenai, who had only started training in recent years, had surpassed Shizune and was now on par with her.
But even so, the two still had some distance to go before reaching Tsunade's level.
Since transplanting the original cells, Tsunade's chakra reserves had surged, her physique had strengthened, and her mastery of Yang Release had improved. Furthermore, Sarutobi Asuma had not been stingy with her, imparting all his knowledge regarding chakra control.
In this regard, Tsunade's talent originally surpassed that of Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune. Even without undergoing the Reverse Waterfall or Wind-Stepping training, her Chakra Control was stronger than Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune's.
In Konoha, and perhaps even the entire Ninja World at present.
Except for Sarutobi Asuma, she was probably the strongest.
The stronger the Chakra Control, the more precise and efficient the chakra bursts, and the power of the Monster Strength Ninja Taijutsu would naturally increase.
Sarutobi Asuma watched and silently assessed, "Tsunade's chakra control should be approaching level 9, while Kurenai and Shizune are a little behind, only just entering level 8."
Although he had guided them, and even directly used Electromagnetic Release to help improve their physique, Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune had not slacked off their training in these past few years.
It could be said that hard work pays off.
However, the further one progressed, the more difficult advancement became.
In fact, both women might stop at level 8.
After all, from this point on, it would not be something that could be improved through simple training alone.
It also required extraordinary comprehension.
In this regard, Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune were both significantly inferior to Tsunade.
Currently, Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune's chakra limits were both around 75.
This data was actually not bad; they were considered elites even among Jonin.
Before Tsunade transplanted the original cells from the First Hokage's White Zetsu transformation, her chakra limit was only 80.
Yūhi Kurenai was actually a type with a weaker physique, excelling in mental strength. It was only through Sarutobi Asuma's constant effort over the years, coupled with the Sage Cursed Seal's nurturing of her cells, that she reached her current state.
It should be noted that because Tsunade had a considerable amount of her own chakra, and originally possessed the Yin Seal, she did not need Sarutobi Asuma to transmit Sage Power or chakra to her.
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune were quite different. In recent years, they had required Sarutobi Asuma to transmit Sage Power to sustain the enormous demand for Sage Power to soak their entire bodies' cells.
"At the current pace, it will take at least another 10 years for them to achieve Sage Transformation," Sarutobi Asuma calculated silently.
Rumble!
The ground cracked open as if an earthquake had struck, sending debris flying.
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune's chakra was almost depleted. They managed to fend off the attack with difficulty before being blown away.
Tsunade withdrew her hand and snorted, "It seems Asuma's teachings aren't all that great either!"
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune exchanged wry smiles.
The gap in their chakra reserves and control was evident; how could they possibly defeat Tsunade?
"It's just that you're too amazing, Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune stood up, causing Tsunade's lips to curl. She was in a good mood.
Then, she turned to look at Sarutobi Asuma, who was grinning and enjoying the show. Her expression immediately turned cold. "This guy's gaze is more and more like that scoundrel Jiraiya's!"
Her eyes flashed, and Tsunade loudly declared, "Asuma, let's have a match!"
"If I lose, you'll have complete control over me from now on."
Sarutobi Asuma raised an eyebrow and stood up, smiling. "And if you lose, Lady Tsunade?"
"Hmph!"
Tsunade snorted coldly, "There's no way I'd lose to a brat like you!"
"However, if I do lose, then yes, I'll completely listen to you from now on too!"
Shizune quickly interjected, "Lady Tsunade, please don't gamble. Didn't you say you'd quit gambling?"
In her opinion, Tsunade had no chance of winning.
Tsunade, however, was not receptive. She was feeling incredibly confident right now and waved her hand dismissively. "Shizune, you've completely sided with him."
Shizune immediately blushed.
Yūhi Kurenai softly consoled her, "Lady Tsunade is full of confidence right now; it's no use trying to persuade her."
"Still, it's a good deal for that guy Asuma."
Shizune nodded in agreement.
Sarutobi Asuma approached, smiling. "Lady Tsunade, I won't hold back."
Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "Bring it on!"
"Let me see just how far you perverted brat have come."
Sarutobi Asuma's mouth twitched. He decided he absolutely had to teach Tsunade a lesson and show her who was boss.
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Machine Translation by: beta.randomtranslator.com
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