Zixu quickly found Karin through his sensory ability, and Karin, in turn, detected him as well. The two soon met, leaving only the miserable Rosinante behind to look for Jiraiya.
After all, Jiraiya wasn't the type to sit in an office and handle affairs properly. The cage of power couldn't trap a free spirit like him.
"Karin, why are you here?" Zixu asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Hey, I'm gathering information. Let me tell you..." Karin naturally moved closer to Zixu and began reporting all the intel she had gathered.
"Hmm, it seems Konoha hasn't changed much, but I doubt Danzo hasn't been stirring up trouble behind the scenes," Zixu muttered with a frown.
He was always wary of Konoha, especially after obtaining Sarutobi Hiruzen's memories. Danzo had long begun studying the Sharingan and the First Hokage's cells. Most of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan, stolen after the massacre, had likely fallen into that old man's hands.
Speaking of the Sharingan, one person inevitably came to mind—Uchiha Shisui. The most powerful illusion technique, Kotoamatsukami, could invade a person's mind without them even realizing it, rewriting their will entirely. The target would be reduced to a puppet without ever knowing it.
Zixu recalled that Uchiha Shisui had supposedly destroyed his eyes before committing suicide, but there was a high probability that Danzo had already seized one of them.
"Still, Kotoamatsukami has a long cooldown period. I wonder if he's already used it..." Zixu speculated, though he remained uncertain. Knowing Danzo's ruthless nature, it wouldn't be surprising if the technique had already been employed.
"Orochimaru? Uzumaki Naruto? Both are possible targets..." Zixu muttered. He knew defending against Kotoamatsukami was nearly impossible. Keeping his distance from Danzo was the only precaution he could take.
"Well, let's think about that later. I haven't been back to Konoha in a long time. This is where the dream began. It's just a shame that Hatsuizumi and Chinano aren't here. Back then..."
Zixu exhaled lightly, feeling somewhat nostalgic. As he gazed at the familiar village, his mind was filled with memories of his past self—once weak, now powerful beyond imagination.
"Are you calling us?" a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him.
Zixu turned, slightly surprised. It was Aburame Hatsuizumi.
"Sorry to disturb your moment of solitude," another calm voice added. Zixu recognized it instantly—it was Hyuga Chinano.
"You... why are you here? Didn't you say you couldn't come when I asked before?" Karin's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
She had asked these two if they could come, and they had refused. She was sure they wouldn't show up. Yet here they were. It wasn't fair!
"What's wrong? Our family used to live in Konoha. We're just here to check on things," Hatsuizumi replied with a smirk. "It's a good opportunity to take away some bugs. Why, got a problem with that?"
Zixu's eyes flashed with an idea upon hearing those words. He patted Hatsuizumi's head with a pleased expression.
"Good, good job. Coming to Konoha is like returning home. No need to be so formal—take whatever you can. Don't be shy."
Zixu turned to Chinano and grinned mischievously.
"Hey, why not kidnap Hyuga Hiashi while we're at it? Knock him out, steal his secrets, and pry the damn Caged Bird Seal out of his head. A thief never leaves empty-handed, after all."
Zixu's tone was half-joking, but the chilling look in his eyes said otherwise.
Even Chinano, who harbored hostility toward the Hyuga clan leader, was stunned by Zixu's audacity. Kidnapping the head of the Hyuga clan? That was a bit much—even for him.
"Really? Well, I'll go talk to Jiraiya first. If we reach an agreement, maybe I can openly visit some old friends. If not... well, I'll just have to be careful and avoid Danzo's eyes."
Zixu waved at Hatsuizumi and Chinano before heading off to find Rosinante. The clone had just sent him a message about some unexpected trouble, so he needed to check on the situation.
As Zixu disappeared into the distance, Karin stood there, seething with frustration.
"Seriously? He just left like that? My alone time is ruined!" she grumbled, clutching the handkerchief in her hands with a pout.
"Hmm? How tragic," Hatsuizumi commented, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Chinano sighed, already sensing the chaos brewing between the two troublemakers.
"Stop messing around. Let's go shopping," she suggested, hoping to distract them.
It worked like a charm. Karin immediately perked up at the thought of buying new clothes, while Hatsuizumi was eager to check if any rare insects were being sold at the market.
Once the three were distracted, Zixu, hidden in the treetops, exhaled in relief and moved on.
---
Meanwhile, Rosinante was indeed in trouble.
"Oh-ho-ho-ho! Rosinante! You're in Konoha? Come on! There are a bunch of new casinos here! I'll take you there—they've got all kinds of games! You'll love it!"
Tsunade's eyes sparkled with excitement, gleaming like a pirate who had just spotted a chest full of treasure. She grabbed Rosinante's collar with both hands, her strength making it impossible for him to break free.
"I... I think you've got the wrong person..." Rosinante stammered, sweating profusely.
"Stop pretending! Come with me!" Tsunade grinned maniacally.
The moment she spotted Rosinante, she completely forgot about her promise to help Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura track down Naruto. After all, what was more fun—teaching apprentices or hitting the jackpot?
Sasuke and Sakura, watching Tsunade drag Rosinante away, were utterly dumbfounded.
"Should we... leave?" Sasuke muttered awkwardly.
Just as Rosinante was about to be hauled off like a lucky charm, Zixu appeared, cutting through the crowd with a dramatic shout.
"LET GO OF THAT BOY!"
His voice was commanding, cutting through the commotion. Everyone turned toward him, eyes wide with surprise.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, sensing something oddly familiar about the man.
"This guy... feels familiar. I've definitely met him somewhere before..." he muttered.
His years of training in taijutsu and medical techniques had sharpened his instincts. The aura Zixu emanated stirred something deep within him—an unpleasant memory, perhaps.
Sakura, on the other hand, had no such recollection. During the Chunin Exams, she had been gravely injured by Gaara, leaving her unconscious during the dragon battle. With Jiraiya never mentioning the incident afterward, she remained unaware of Zixu's existence.
"Who are you?" Tsunade demanded, her eyes narrowing.
The "guest" who interrupted her gambling spree needed to provide a damn good reason—or else.
Zixu coughed slightly and lifted his hood just enough to reveal his bright red hair.
"Rosinante has business with me. Once we're done, he can do whatever he wants. But for now, he stays," Zixu stated calmly.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but she couldn't argue with the calm authority in his voice.
Rosinante, gasping for air, shot Zixu a grateful look.
"He's right," Rosinante confirmed with a hoarse voice. "We have to see the Hokage."
Tsunade clicked her tongue but relented.
"Fine. I'll take you to him," she grumbled, clearly displeased at having her casino trip interrupted.
She turned to Sasuke and Sakura.
"You two, come with me. You wanted to find Jiraiya, right? We're going there anyway."
As they walked, Sasuke stole glances at Zixu, his fists clenching tightly. The resemblance to someone from his past was undeniable.
"I'm stronger now... I won't lose this time," Sasuke vowed internally, flames of determination burning in his eyes.
Zixu, noticing Sasuke's fiery gaze, blinked in confusion.
"Wait... does he seriously think he can beat me?" Zixu thought, feeling both amused and baffled.
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