"Sai? Who's that?"
When Sasuke and Sakura received the news, they both tried hard to recall, but neither had any impression.
Kakashi said: "Well, I don't know him either. Anyway, Tsunade-sama arranged it, so there's no need to delve into it. Just get along well from now on. He's just temporarily replacing Naruto, and perhaps will only participate in this mission to subjugate Orochimaru."
He naturally knew about Root.
But Root had officially disbanded, so there was no need to mention it.
Of course, he also knew about Root's darkness, so he would just be more careful himself and make sure this Sai didn't cause trouble for everyone.
At this moment, a pale-skinned, black-haired, handsome young man with squinting eyes walked over. This young man looked young, but he preferred to wear a crop top and carried a short sword on his back. His strength was not apparent.
"Hello everyone, I'm Sai." "570" Sai greeted them with a smile.
The three looked over at the sound, and their first thought was, this guy's smile is so fake!
Kakashi was the first to speak: "You're here. Let's all get to know each other. I am Kakashi Hatake, the leader of Team Seven. I hope you can get along well with everyone."
Sasuke acted cool as usual: "Sasuke Uchiha."
Upon hearing this, Sai's squinting eyes opened, and he looked at Sasuke: "So you're Sasuke-kun. I've heard a lot about you."
While saying that, he recalled the situation in Root before.
Danzo: "I will arrange for you to join Team Seven. When the subjugation team goes to Orochimaru's base, you will follow them. If necessary, you can act alone. Your mission is complete once you obtain what I want."
Sai: "Yes, Lord Danzō."
Danzo: "You must be careful of Sasuke Uchiha from Team Seven. The Uchiha are an evil clan, you must not let your guard down!"
Sai: "Uchiha, Sasuke, huh?"
Danzo: "Right, you also need a name. Since I'm having you guard against Sasuke, I'll just call you Sai. Remember, guard against the Uchiha and get what I want, understood?"
Sai: "Yes, Lord Danzō."
"Hey! What are you spacing out for? And you're staring at Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura saw that this guy was examining Sasuke and ignoring her, and immediately became unhappy. "I'm Sakura Haruno. Although we probably won't get along well, please take care of me!"
Sai finally came back to his senses and also looked at Sakura, finally returning to his squinting eyes: "That's true, ugly girl."
Ug-, ugly girl?!
He called me an ugly girl?!
Sakura stiffened all over and was immediately enraged: "You little punk are asking for a beating, aren't you! See if I don't flatten you!"
Kakashi quickly stopped her: "Sakura, calm down. He's going to be a comrade from now on, don't cause trouble! Sai, you too, don't be so direct when you speak. You won't be able to make friends like that!"
Upon hearing this, Sai actually started thinking seriously: "So, you mean I know Kakashi-sensei looks like he has kidney deficiency, but I can't say it out loud? That's being emotionally intelligent and will prevent Kakashi-sensei from disliking me, right? But Kakashi-sensei really has kidney deficiency, so why can't I say it? Hmm, getting along with people is really troublesome!"
A vein twitched on Kakashi's forehead. He suspected this guy was doing it on purpose, but he had no proof.
Calling him kidney deficient repeatedly. He, Kakashi, just liked Jiraiya's books, when did he get kidney deficiency? Isn't that nonsense?
However, Kakashi's composure was clearly good, and he also squinted his eyes and smiled: "Young man, your mouth is quite poisonous. But looking at your pale face, without a trace of blood, that's the sign of kidney deficiency."
In short, the first interaction of the new Team Seven was not pleasant.
Natsuki also found out after receiving a note from Tenten. He hadn't expected that old Danzo would send Sai out so quickly. It seemed like Orochimaru had something the old man wanted!
However, Natsuki didn't interfere. As long as he wasn't harming others, Sai could take whatever he wanted.
Of course, if Natsuki discovered it was something bad, he wouldn't allow Sai to take it back to the old man.
That old man Danzo, he would die sooner or later!
Two days later, the subjugation team officially set off.
This operation was confidential. Unless someone deliberately revealed it, it was impossible for others to know. Moreover, they set off early in the morning without alarming a single villager.
Along the way, the five teams moved like lightning, traveling very quickly.
The current five teams could be said to be Konoha's elite. Even the weakest member, Sakura, was quite excellent compared to other Chunin, and no one would fall behind. In addition, the subjugation team had Neji and Hinata with their Byakugan, as well as Kiba and Shino for reconnaissance up front, so there were no problems at all, and they weren't afraid of encountering issues on the way...
That evening, the subjugation team arrived at the border between the Fire Country and the Land of Rice Fields.
Kakashi used Earth Release to create a sealed stone house, and only then did everyone dare to open their lanterns inside to prepare food and rest properly.
After eating, Kakashi gathered everyone for a meeting.
"There are twenty of us in total across the five teams. The target is too large and easily discovered. Orochimaru is a very dangerous and perceptive person. If he senses something is wrong, he is likely to set a trap, or he might just run away. Neither of these is what we want to see. Therefore, tomorrow when we enter the Land of Rice Fields, the five teams will split up and infiltrate from different directions.
Remember to avoid villages and towns, and especially avoid Orochimaru's strongholds. You must not be discovered, or the subjugation operation could be completely ruined.
Before dark tomorrow, we must all reach this location and rendezvous with Natsuki, understood?"
"Understood!"
Everyone replied in low voices, but they were all a little excited.
After all, subjugating an S-Rank rogue ninja was not a small mission. Not only could they showcase their skills, but they could also accumulate experience. If successful, there would be generous rewards, and what's more, they could boast about it in the future. In short, there were too many benefits.
Anyway, they were all eager to get started and couldn't sleep.
Kakashi couldn't help but laugh and scold: "What are you so excited about! You still have to travel tomorrow, so hurry up and rest!"
Everyone didn't say anything, but they were indeed not sleepy.
Kurama Yakumo was the most excited. She 1.4 had been controlled by the demon before, so she had no freedom and couldn't be a ninja. Now that the demon was gone, she had regained her freedom and could directly become a ninja, even joining the operation to subjugate an S-Rank rogue ninja. Naturally, she couldn't remain calm.
Megumi held her hand and smiled: "Yakumo, don't be nervous. Your strength is very high, just perform normally then. At that time, my safety will depend on you."
Kurama Yakumo repeatedly promised: "Megumi, don't worry, I will protect you!"
Runya quickly said: "Megumi, I'm also very strong. I learned a lot from Aoba-nii, even the boss praised me. I can protect you tomorrow, protect both of you!"
He was a man, so he naturally had to protect the girls in the team.
Megumi and Kurama Yakumo exchanged glances and smiled: "Then we'll rely on Runya."