As for the name Gekko Chizan, everyone present except Kabuto knew it.
After all, they had all fought him before. Uchiha Makito and Nagato had even clashed with him multiple times.
"Hey, hey, Zetsu, are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
"That bastard would come to the Land of Water?"
Uchiha Makito understood Gekko Chizan the best. Back in Konoha, he used to hear that name all the time.
He was someone who could never sit still for a single day, and his reputation was… hmph, hard to describe.
But there was one thing—this kid's strength had grown to a terrifying level. Even relying on the power of his Mangekyō, he wasn't confident he could take him down.
He even had the feeling that every time they fought, Gekko Chizan had never gone all out.
"It can't be wrong. Even though he's tried his best to hide his movements."
"But after dealing with him so many times, I wouldn't mistake him."
"And I also saw that red snake beside him—the Sage Snake from Ryūchi Cave."
"If he really comes south, with the perception ability of Sage Art, I'm afraid it'll only be a matter of time before we're found."
After Zetsu finished speaking, Uchiha Makito and Nagato both fell silent.
If it truly was Gekko Chizan who had come to the Land of Water, then it meant a battle between them was inevitable.
The two exchanged a glance—Sharingan meeting Rinnegan—then nodded in unison with tacit understanding.
"Hmph, he's just a Konoha ninja. It's not like I haven't run into him before."
"Do you really need to act like this?"
"If it comes down to it, just kill him."
Although Kakuzu had fought Gekko Chizan once, it had only been a brief encounter. While he did acknowledge Chizan's strength, he didn't believe one man alone could push them into a passive position.
As a ninja who had lived for a long time, Kakuzu had absolute confidence in his own strength.
His words gained Kabuto's approval.
"Kakuzu's right. He's just one person. What's there to be afraid of?"
"If he comes, he comes. We'll just kill him."
"Perfect timing too. I've been worrying about not having enough materials lately. Want me to go?"
Having obtained all of Sasori of the Red Sand's research materials, he had grown extremely inflated with confidence, convinced his puppets were invincible.
"Hmph, a brat is still just a brat."
"Do you know how much Gekko Chizan is worth on the black market?"
"Almost the same as the Kage of the major villages—his bounty has already reached 150 million ryō."
"We should capture him and kill him for the money."
Banknotes seemed to flash in Kakuzu's eyes as he shot Kabuto a vicious glare.
"And you, you damn brat—I didn't earn that money for you to waste on your broken toys."
"If I catch you using my money to buy any more of that nonsense material…"
"I'll kill you."
A chilling killing intent surged from Kakuzu, rushing straight toward Kabuto.
But the latter didn't care at all. To Kabuto, puppets were everything.
On the contrary, Kabuto was very interested in Kakuzu's body. He wondered if turning Kakuzu into a puppet would let him break through his current limits.
No—not just Kakuzu. He was interested in everyone inside this cave!
"That's enough. Zetsu, keep an eye out lately."
"Madara, go bring back the Fourth Mizukage and bring him here."
"If Gekko Chizan really has come, we must leave him here. Otherwise, sooner or later, he'll become a serious threat!"
Nagato's voice was also filled with killing intent—but his killing intent was directed at Gekko Chizan.
In his heart, every Konoha ninja had to be eliminated—especially Gekko Chizan.
He had to kill him personally.
"Got it. I'll head north to find the Fourth Mizukage."
Uchiha Makito understood the seriousness of the situation. Without wasting a single word, his Sharingan spun, and in the next second, he vanished from the cave.
...
Several days later, Gekko Chizan arrived in the southern part of the Land of Water.
Unlike the prosperity of the north, the south was filled mostly with civilians and ordinary villages.
Upon arriving here, he could even sense the scent of farmland in the air.
For him, it was a rather refreshing experience.
"Tagitsuhime, still no unusual chakra?"
Still aboard that small boat, as they looked at the approaching land, Gekko Chizan asked once more.
Unfortunately, Tagitsuhime shook her head. She had been maintaining her perception the whole time.
But within her senses, no exceptionally powerful aura had appeared.
"Chizan, are you sure the Akatsuki is in the Land of Water?"
"We've practically toured the entire country already."
No—more accurately, she was almost out of the snakeberries they had brought from the north. She was about to run out of food.
If they still couldn't find the Akatsuki, she'd be speechless from frustration.
On the other hand, Haku had no particular thoughts. His gaze was fixed on the distant land. Through the mist, he seemed to sense a trace of natural energy.
"They're definitely here. I believe it."
"Hang in there a little longer. I have a feeling they're right here."
Gekko Chizan's confident expression appeared once more.
Tagitsuhime's snake mouth nearly twisted crooked. She had heard this speech several times along the way.
When they went to Kirigakure, he said he had a feeling. When they went to the northern three islands, he was brimming with confidence.
And now again. Sigh. Did this man have no self-awareness at all?
"Hey, Tagitsuhime, what's with that look?"
"I really have a feeling!"
"They're definitely ahead!"
"Let's go!"
Gekko Chizan didn't care whether Tagitsuhime believed him or not—he believed in himself!
Look at the northern three islands. Even though they didn't find the Akatsuki, he still made a fortune!
That was a man's sixth sense!
Speaking of which, ever since coming to the Land of Water, his sixth sense had been remarkably sharp.
First, they went to Kirigakure and gained little Haku. Then they went to the northern three islands and gained a large fortune!
Now, he believed that in the southern Land of Water, there was definitely something he was looking for!
As they stepped onto the island, Gekko Chizan's insect eyes never rested, constantly searching.
Meanwhile, Tagitsuhime coiled around him, also sensing through Sage chakra.
However, upon first landing on the island, he found nothing he wanted.
Thus, they traveled all the way to the southernmost edge of the island. Standing by the sea and gazing into the distance, several small islands sat lonely upon the horizon.
"Chizan, found them."
"On the island to the northwest—there are four powerful presences."
"But it seems like there's more than just four people."
At last, Tagitsuhime's perception had located what they were searching for.
A hint of joy flashed across Gekko Chizan's face, but it was quickly replaced by solemnity.
He turned to look at Haku.
"Haku, the place we're going next… you can't come."
"I'll send you to Orochimaru. Wait for me there."