"What was the outcome of the negotiations?"

The envoys of Sunagakure and Kumogakure have been staying in Konoha for several days. These days, they have been holding secret meetings with Shikaku in the small conference room of the Hokage Building.

On a whim, Tsunade called Shikaku and asked about the results of the three-party meeting.

Lu Jiu rubbed his eyebrows, opened his mouth and replied:

"The matter is basically finalized. As long as the time comes, Sunagakure and Kumogakure will send people to assist. Next, we only need to discuss the specific steps for action."

"Where's the personnel list?"

Tsunade asked.

After all, the person we have to deal with this time is a slippery and dangerous rebellious ninja like Orochimaru, and it is very likely that he will have to deal with Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi at the same time. Konoha alone does seem to be unable to do so.

.

It would be great if we could get support from Sunagakure and Kumogakure.

"After they return, they will hand it over to the Kazekage and Raikage for a decision. At about the end of this month, the list of participants will be sent to Konoha. Considering that this is a special operation, the ninjas in action must have special abilities.

, the personnel list cannot be put together in a short while."

Shikaku responded like this.

"Yes, and we also need to consider that this is a trap designed by the enemy for us. However, is it really impossible for Sunagakure to temporarily extradite the body of the Red Sand Scorpion to Konoha? If that is the case, it is

You can directly confirm the authenticity of this information."

Tsunade said so.

Shikaku pondered for a while and said: "I also asked Ye Cang for confirmation on this matter. Sunagakure's Anbu thought that the corpse of the Red Sand Scorpion was too strange, and there was no way to extract any information from his brain. Then Sunagakure's

The ANBU secretly disposed of the Red Sand Scorpion's body according to Kazekage's order."

To be honest, Shikaku cannot tell whether this is true or false.

Moreover, Scorpion's body is in Sunagakure's hands, and Konoha cannot prove the truth.

"It's completely unlike Rasa's style to dispose of the body so hastily... Moreover, as soon as Chiyo of Sunagakure returned to the Kingdom of Wind after her previous actions, news of her death immediately spread. No matter how you look at it, it's very strange.

.”

Tsunade frowned, her tone mixed with displeasure.

Sunagakure must be hiding something secretly by doing this.

"It's too late to explore now. Next, let's focus on Orochimaru. If Scorpion's information is true, then the relationship between Orochimaru and Uchiha Sasuke should actually belong to the hostile camp. Card

Cassie's attitude is unclear, and he is not sure whether he will help Orochimaru or Uchiha Sasuke. But no matter which one, it means that they have begun to split internally."

Lu Jiu felt that they must seize this golden opportunity, even if it was a trap dug for them by others, they could not miss it.

"Then start two different plans, take into account the possibility that the intelligence is a trap, and formulate an alternative plan so that you can safely evacuate if there is an accident in the operation."

Shikaku nodded, he would do the same without Tsunade explaining.

As long as you grasp Orochimaru's line, you can quickly find those lost tail beasts through the opponent. At the same time, you can also pull out the hidden hands in the ninja world from the shadows, and get rid of this disadvantage of being in the dark.

.

This time, Konoha must go all out.

◎

"Do you need to practice with me?"

In the clearing of the forest, a gust of wind mixed with chill blew by. Jiraiya looked at Naruto who was standing in front of him making a solemn request, showing a surprised expression.

"Yes, lustful immortal, the only one who can help me now is you."

Naruto rubbed his hands, as if he was convinced of Jiraiya.

"Even if you say so, I still have important things to do next and I don't have time to practice with you."

Jiraiya scratched his head in embarrassment. Although there were still two or three months to prepare for the arrest of Orochimaru, as a Sannin, he must prepare in advance.

But facing a ninja of Orochimaru's level, even half a year of preparation in advance is not an exaggeration at all.

"By the way, didn't I practice with you in the past? For example, I should have taught you these skills carefully in terms of physical training."

Jiraiya frowned in confusion.

"It has nothing to do with that kind of thing. What I want is a real battle."

"Real battle, you mean..."

Jiraiya slowed down for a moment before he understood what Naruto meant.

"Yes, I want to have a real battle with you, the lustful immortal, which is different from the previous training. Please fight with me."

Naruto wrapped his palm tightly around his fist and stared at Jiraiya with burning eyes.

Although he had fought with Jiraiya in the past, a battle of that level could only be regarded as an adult giving tricks to a child, and was completely different from a real battle.

As if aware of the determination in Naruto's eyes, Jiraiya's expression became slightly serious.

Is it because during this operation, he clearly felt that there was a huge experience gap between himself and the powerful ninja? Jiraiya guessed so.

If it weren't for these reasons, Naruto wouldn't have suddenly approached him and asked for a battle.

It was obvious that Naruto was aware of his own shortcomings and wanted to conduct targeted training in this area.

Indeed, he did teach Naruto many skills in the past two years, including physical combat, the timing of Ninjutsu, and how to deal with illusions that he was not good at... But those things were only training after all, not actual combat.

These shortcomings are easily exposed by fighting against truly powerful enemies.

"I see."

Jiraiya nodded and agreed to Naruto's request.

Naruto's face was happy.

"That……"

"But, not now."

Jiraiya immediately refused, as if there was no room for negotiation.

"Eh? Why?"

Naruto looked at Jiraiya in confusion.

"They say I have important things to do now. Even if I'm sparring with you, I have to put it behind this."

"You have something important to do. Are you planning to be lazy and write those obscene novels?"

Naruto's eyes were full of contempt, as if he had seen through Jiraiya's character.

Jiraiya snorted and said sternly: "That's not some obscene novel, it's great art! Do you know how many people in this world can only write what I wrote in the dark and lonely night?

Do you want to use this book to comfort yourself? If they cannot vent their excess desires, it will increase the crime rate in the ninja world. My purpose in writing this book is for the peace of the ninja world!"

Looking at Jiraiya, who had a righteous face and was talking shamelessly here, the corner of Naruto's mouth twitched.

Although his mind is indeed not very bright, writing obscene novels and insisting on linking it to the peace of the ninja world is an excuse no matter how you look at it.

This guy's mind is full of unhealthy and obscene thoughts, and he is probably hopeless.

"Besides, I don't have time to write a novel now. I need to track down Orochimaru."

Jiraiya coughed, and seemed to feel that what he said before was too forceful, and even he felt a little ashamed.

"Orochimaru!?"

Upon hearing this name, Naruto's voice suddenly became louder.

"Hey, what's going on, you lustful immortal?"

"Well... what else could it be? Didn't you learn from the dead Scorpion that Orochimaru will attack Uchiha Zuosuke in June this year? And it's almost March now.

There are less than three months left until June. As a Sannin, I must take the lead to verify the authenticity of the information."

Jiraiya felt that Naruto was also aware of this matter, so he did not hide the news that he was going to gather information alone.

"Are you going alone?"

"Of course, after all, I am one of the three ninjas. I am a top-notch expert in gathering information."

After all, whether it is the deserted mountains and forests, the taverns and casinos in the bustling city, or even the Fengyue Club, they are all the places where his information comes from.

Familiar with all kinds of knowledge of the three religions and nine streams, Jiraiya believed that there were few people in the ninja world who could compare with him in this regard.

"Then, take me with you, lustful immortal. I will go with you to find out about Orochimaru."

Naruto was excited and asked.

"no."

Jiraiya refused to allow Naruto to follow without negotiation.

Before Naruto could speak, Jiraiya continued: "With you by my side, I can't find out the information carefully. Besides, your hiding skills are too poor. If you follow me, my existence will be easily exposed."

"why is it like this?"
To be continued...