The khakkhara in Monk Senku's hand was a nine-ringed staff, so when he walked, as long as he didn't deliberately restrain it, the nine rings would clang against each other with every movement.
He had intentionally separated from Konan just to see whether anyone from the battlefield here would come looking for him.
Or rather, whether Obito would double back to cause him trouble.
Because this was basically "fishing enforcement," he walked very slowly along the way.
Given the situation of walking alone in such a remote wilderness, if there were still scouts nearby, there was no way they wouldn't find him.
But instead of Obito, the ones who came were Kakashi and the other two.
"Master, please wait."
When the three caught up, Asuma immediately stepped forward to speak.
Senku turned around, looking at them, "What business do the benefactors have?"
Asuma had an uncle serving as abbot of the Fire Temple, so he had a bit of reverence toward monks.
Most people in the ninja world didn't live very long, and monks of true attainment were even rarer.
If Kakashi and Yamato were here purely to complete their mission, then Asuma carried with him an extra measure of respect.
First, Asuma respectfully bowed to Senku, then spoke, "My close friend is the abbot of the Fire Temple, Master Chiriku. Does Master Senku know him?"
In the Land of Fire, the Fire Temple was a very famous monastery, so logically speaking, any monk should know of it.
Senku recited a Buddha's name, "This humble monk has come from the Far East, I am not familiar with this place."
Asuma felt a bit embarrassed, but quickly adjusted, "May I ask why Master Senku is helping the Akatsuki?"
Senku pressed his palms together, "Naturally, to dispel war."
This answer left the three of them surprised.
Asuma couldn't help but ask, "Master, do you not know that Akatsuki is a mercenary organization? The people they recruit are not good sorts. Sasori even destroyed a small country."
Senku's gaze did not waver, as if he had long known these things, "All things in this world are determined, all are bound by karma."
"Life and death are matters of the cycle of reincarnation."
Asuma was filled with doubt, "If that's so, then why did Master come here?"
Senku tapped his staff against the ground, and a pit quickly appeared.
"This is the world."
Asuma somewhat understood, somewhat not.
But Senku didn't explain, instead continued, "Everything in the world's workings follows certain laws."
"But…",bHe tapped a stone beside him with his staff, and the stone rolled into the pit, filling it about halfway, "…things that enter this world will affect its entire operation."
Asuma seemed to catch on, "You mean the Tailed Beasts?"
Senku nodded slightly, "This monk will only dispel conflicts concerning the Tailed Beasts."
Asuma quickly said, "Might Master come as a guest to our Konoha Village?"
Senku refused, "That is a matter you must discuss with Konan."
Asuma asked in puzzlement, "But Master is in cooperation with Akatsuki, no?"
Senku's gaze seemed to pierce into Asuma's heart, "Since coming here, Akatsuki has provided me with no small amount of convenience."
The three of them understood. While exchanging glances, Senku bowed to them.
"This monk has other important matters. Benefactors, we shall meet again if destined."
The three quickly bowed, "Master, take care. Until we meet again."
Senku, holding his staff, walked slowly away step by step.
The three were puzzled. Didn't he say important matters? Why was he walking so slowly?
"Shall we return first?", Yamato asked.
"Mm, let's head back and see what the old man says," Asuma answered.
Kakashi looked at Asuma, then at the departing Senku in the distance, calculating silently in his heart.
———
This clash between Sunagakure and Iwagakure had already drawn the eyes of the entire ninja world.
Everyone was watching, to see whether the fighting would escalate after they battled here.
But then the pace of events shifted a little too fast.
First, Sunagakure invited Akatsuki and gained some advantages.
Later, when Iwagakure deployed their Jinchuriki, everyone thought Sunagakure would be at a loss.
Yet Sunagakure's own people didn't even take the field. Akatsuki's Sasori of the Red Sand actually wielded a puppet of the Third Kazekage.
Iwagakure's Jinchuriki didn't even come out ahead in the first fight.
And the appearance of the Third Kazekage puppet carried a kind of dark comedy.
The man Sunagakure had invited was precisely the one who had killed their Third Kazekage.
But under the current situation, Sunagakure could not act against Akatsuki.
After all, they were allies at the moment.
And all that was just the appetizer. For in the end, it was the entrance of Monk Senku that made every information agent widen their eyes.
A stranger, yet a sealing master.
Someone who could seal a Jinchuriki in a single blow.
The last person to do such a thing was Uchiha Rengoku, and now here came another.
With Senku of Akatsuki intervening, the conflict between Sunagakure and Iwagakure was settled so simply.
This made many factions take an interest in him.
Akatsuki also issued a statement.
The gist was that Senku was indeed one of them.
If there were needs (concerning Jinchuriki or Tailed Beasts), they could be contacted.
As information about Senku spread wildly in the black market,
Zetsu, who had observed the battle up close, had already sold the detailed reports there.
In just a few days, all five great ninja villages knew of this man called Senku.
———
[Kumogakure]
[Raikage's Office]
Ever since Raikage had lost one arm, Kumogakure had been trying ways to restore it.
At this time, Raikage wore a silver mechanical arm.
This arm was crafted finely from shoulder down to palm.
For daily life, it could handle everything.
But it had one fatal flaw, it couldn't fight.
With Raikage's level of combat power, this thing would basically break with one strike.
Although Raikage hadn't given up on himself these past years, the drop in his strength from losing his arm truly made him restless.
Raikage placed the documents on the desk, tapping them a few times with his metal arm.
"Tell me, this Monk Senku of Akatsuki, what effect will he have on the ninja world?"
Tsuchidai finished carefully reading the files, his eyes showing some astonishment.
He organized his words, then spoke, "If this Senku is strong enough, then for the Land of Lightning, his presence is more advantage than harm."
"Kirigakure relies only on Yagura and his clones to hold us back."
"Without a Jinchuriki, our strength would completely crush Kirigakure."
It was a simple truth, and Raikage grasped it immediately.
"Mm…"
Seeing Raikage deep in thought, Tsuchidai added, "We need more intelligence, especially concerning Senku."
"As long as it's confirmed that Senku is strong enough, then this is an opportunity for Kumogakure."
Raikage stood up and walked to the windowsill. From the distance of the Valley of Clouds and Thunder came the dull rumble of thunder.
It wasn't thunder, it was Killer B training himself.
Ever since Raikage lost his arm, Killer B had changed a lot.
Even without Raikage urging him, he now trained on his own.
"Handle the intelligence gathering. I'll go see B."
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.