Team One's five-minute rollercoaster ride finally ended with a bumpy but safe stop—though the aftermath was anything but pretty.
"Rrrgh…"
Nawaki staggered out of the cart, completely dizzy. His motion sickness clearly left much to be desired as he started puking what looked like rainbow-colored contents.
Orochimaru calmly stepped out and watched Nawaki, occasionally patting his back to help direct the colorful flow.
"Nayou, did you find this rollercoaster thrilling?"
"Yeah, Shen. I want to ride it again next time," Little Iceberg replied, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
As someone who never let his friends down, Shen naturally said yes without hesitation. "No problem! Once we finish our mission and return to Konoha, I'll ask the old man Third to allocate some land for an amusement park. Then I'll get you every thrill ride imaginable—Ferris wheels, bungee jumping, everything!"
"Great!" Nayou's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Seeing the spark of excitement in Nayou's eyes, Shen suddenly froze—he'd almost forgotten how much of a young beauty she really was beneath that icy demeanor.
Inside, his brain started fighting itself—like usual.
Seeing him space out again, Nayou asked curiously, "Shen, what's wrong?"
"Nothing… Just thinking about how big I should make the amusement park." After intense internal debate, Shen ultimately couldn't bring himself to pursue any unique ideas.
If he dared think further, the readers' complaints wouldn't simply remain idle.
From the heart, he said he dared not think—and then added with a humorous twist, "You know what they say? Forty meters of steel can change a man's mind."
"I believe we've reached our destination," Orochimaru noted after observing their surroundings, commenting on Nawaki's apparent recovery from vomiting.
At this moment, Shen truly felt grateful toward him for breaking up these awkward thoughts inside.
Unbuckling his seatbelt, Shen smiled lightly at the girl beside him. "Let's get off too, Nayou. That silly guy Nawaki must've thrown up pretty badly."
Little Iceberg gently unbuckled her seatbelt while staring at his back.
She sensed something was off about him, which instantly confused her.
"Nayou, hurry up!"
Prompted by Shen's encouragement, she buried this question deep within before stepping out.
She decided to address this matter later.
(Annoyed readers: C'mon, you're telling me you *really* didn't even think about it?)
(Humble author raised both hands: I swear I'm innocent!)
And just like that, Team One's wild three-day joyride came to an end—with everyone somehow still smiling after that last chaotic landing.
Meanwhile, in an underground chamber not far from Konoha, Zetsu—who had cleaned up someone else's mess one month ago—received a crucial piece of intelligence.
"Kidnapping Mito's clansmen from Uzumaki village? I thought Hanzo had grand ambitions, but apparently he's only capable of this? He's far too naive if he believes such actions could bring Rain Country up to the level of the Five Great Nations."
"Lord Madara, also, Raikage from Kumogakure seems to have secretly allied with Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. They plan to exterminate the entire Uzumaki clan and frame Ame village, aiming to provoke war between Konoha and Amegakure."
"The classic clam and sandpiper strategy while waiting for the fisherman to benefit? The shinobi world stays exactly how it's always been—backstabbing, scheming, and full of double-crosses at every turn!"
"It's no surprise to Madara that Zetsu has brought this information."
In fact, he had long since seen through how the shinobi world was constantly plagued by schemes.
What Madara himself didn't realize, however, was that he too was merely a tragic figure trapped within it.
"Lord Madara, aren't you going to do something? That Rain ninja also seems to have his eyes on the Sword of Kusanagi."
Zetsu's words made Madara fall deep in thought: "That child hasn't experienced true life-or-death combat yet. If we lure them toward Uzumaki village, they'll surely face nothing but jonin."
"Lord Madara is planning to use this opportunity to let him grow stronger?"
"Naturally. My successor mustn't be weak."
Understanding suddenly, Zetsu proposed a plan: "Then Lord Madara, what if I pretend to be an insider and lead them toward Uzumaki village? With that kid driving his strange vehicle, he should arrive before them. This way, when they encounter those coming to annihilate his clan, there'll surely be a magnificent battle."
Madara considered carefully and found the plan sound: "Excellent. He and that Rain ninja share the same goal, so they're certain to meet. Zetsu, you must guide him toward Uzumaki village when necessary."
"Yes, Lord Madara. Serving under such a mastermind as him, I've certainly learned a lot."
Then Zetsu began describing various details, from small points to grand strategies, leaving Madara seated in his chair utterly stunned.
"Could he really formulate such a plan so quickly after meeting with the Disadvantaged Four?"
"Yes, Lord Madara. The entire process probably took less than five minutes. Additionally, Konoha's current Hokage seems determined to cultivate him as the next Hokage. If that happens, it would definitely be quite troublesome for our plans."
"Fascinating. What about that brat Danzo? What does he plan to do?"
"I doubt he'd dare make any moves even if given a hundred courage pills at this time. However, with his nature as a conspirator, he will surely act once the railway connecting Konoha and Sunagakure is completed."
Madara nodded slightly in agreement.
"Let's see what happens once Danzo moves. We can use that opportunity to create division between Konoha and its chosen successor. Then how important could the Hokage position possibly be?"
"Very well. These few years will be a nice rest period. Remember to properly protect him in Uzumaki village."
Hearing this, Zetsu began to sigh bitterly: "Lord Madara, this task will be extremely difficult. That kid dared to plant a massive number of bombs beneath Sunagakure village under the very noses of One-Tail and Kazekage. From what I saw, there are enough explosives there to blow the entire village sky-high."
Upon hearing this, Madara's lips curled upward slightly: "Impressive. He even prepared such a crucial last resort. It seems entrusting the Moon's Eye Plan to him will certainly yield flawless results."
"Lord Madara, that's not exactly my point. What I meant was that kid is incredibly daring. What if he decides to completely wipe out everyone there? Facing so many jonin, there's no way I can safely evacuate him." Thus spoke Zetsu, the unfortunate middleman, voicing his concerns to his superior.
Madara felt his authority had been challenged and immediately frowned. "Zetsu, are you actually daring to challenge me now? Have you forgotten who created you?"
Zetsu instantly decided to play it safe when he felt Madara's temper rising. "Lord Madara, my loyalty to you has never wavered. I was just thinking—if something were to happen to your successor, it could affect the entire plan."
"That's what you're worried about?" Madara said dismissively. "That kid can move freely underground just like you. If you're not confident, why don't you find him a couple of suitable weapons?"
Zetsu swallowed his bitterness—easier said than done. Just where did Madara expect him to find those weapons anyway?
He turned his gaze toward the Uchiha clan's fan symbol hanging on the wall. "Lord Madara, what if—"
"That's not an option," Madara cut in sharply. "Isn't there still a Sword of Kusanagi unaccounted for in the shinobi world? If he can't survive even wielding two Swords of Kusanagi, how will he ever make it in the shinobi world?"
"But perhaps the timing might be a bit—"
Madara shot him a deadly glare from his left eye when he heard the hesitation.
"The timing must work out!"
And just like that, feeling thoroughly used, Zetsu began his worldwide quest to locate the Sword of Kusanagi.
If someone found out that some well-meaning fool had actually doubled the mission reward, they'd probably laugh themselves silly for days.
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