Sasori found that Kakuzu was just as he had thought. He also wanted to find a Wind Release ninja to use their body to create a human puppet.

Takemi's Flying Thunder God Technique was truly troublesome in his opinion. The kunai with the markings on them would cause them trouble if they weren't careful.

Especially when combined with that 'Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique', it was impossible to distinguish between the real and fake ones, and they couldn't afford to let any of them go.

Wind Release was the best way to deal with these kunai!

"This guy, he's not going to compete with me, is he?" Sasori frowned secretly.

Even within the same organization, they wouldn't reveal their biggest secrets.

Just as others didn't know about his body condition or core drive, he also didn't know Kakuzu's secret.

"My Third Kazekage puppet has been repaired, but I need to replenish my other puppets." Sasori thought to himself, but also spoke about his own situation.

"Therefore, I plan to go to the Land of Wind to see if I can make up for my losses."

"Land of Wind?"

Kakuzu raised an eyebrow. Although the Land of Wind was poor and harsh, there should be more ninja skilled in Wind Release there, right?

Thinking of this, he glanced at Sasori, already having an idea in his mind.

However, Sasori happened to see this look, which immediately deepened the worry in his heart.

"Damn it, is this bastard really going to compete with me?!"

— — —

"Finally, we've had some stable time."

In Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood on the roof of the Hokage building, looking out at the bustling Konoha below, and couldn't help but smile.

"And, it's so rare for both of you to be back. We can have a good New Year."

"Unfortunately, someone is missing." Jiraiya nodded, glanced at Tsunade, then suddenly muttered.

"..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly felt his fists clench. You really don't look at the time, do you just say whatever comes to mind?

However, he ultimately didn't say much, after all, he himself felt a bit sad.

Jiraiya and Tsunade had both returned to Konoha for various reasons, but Orochimaru was probably never coming back.

"Old man, I don't want to dampen the mood, but what exactly is going on with that Obito?"

Tsunade leaned on the railing, looking down, and spoke with some displeasure.

"Although I know the village conducted an experiment on grandfather's cells back then, didn't you guys stop it at that time? Why does Obito have something like that?"

"We are still investigating this matter. In fact, we've always had a suspicion."

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't really want to discuss these things at this time, but due to Tsunade's question, he could only say gloomily.

"Most likely, it's Orochimaru, because the research back then was conducted by him and Danzo together, and he..."

"It's him?"

Jiraiya wasn't quite sure, he stroked his chin.

"That's unlikely. Orochimaru's ideas are completely different from Obito's. Even if he were being manipulated, he wouldn't turn out like this."

"Indeed, that's why I haven't mentioned these things all along." Sarutobi Hiruzen also nodded.

Although Orochimaru had changed, he still understood some of his ideas.

Orochimaru once longed to learn all jutsu, and then slowly began to change, seemingly starting to long for forbidden power and longer life.

And these things, compared to Obito's hysterical desire to change the Ninja World, the difference is not small.

"The two of them are completely different, so the person behind Obito cannot be Orochimaru. However, that Wood Release might have some connection to Orochimaru."

"Tch, that guy is really not easy to catch."

Tsunade shook her head. She understood Orochimaru very well, and Jiraiya also sighed.

Jiraiya said, "I've encountered him twice, and although I got crucial information both times, I couldn't keep him. But old man, he used to cooperate with Danzo, so can Danzo..."

"Danzo is still trying to contact Hanzō of the Salamander, but this matter can indeed be considered." Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his chin and pondered for a while.

"After all, they cooperated before, and Danzo also found Orochimaru. Since that's the case, let him handle it."

Regarding Hanzo, although Danzo worked hard, he made no progress, mainly because he simply didn't dare to go to the Land of Rain.

He only sent subordinates to gather information and tried to send letters into Amegakure, but they all sank like stones in the sea.

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't really want Danzo to retire. His work was still commendable, so let him bear more responsibility.

"Alright, let's not talk about these things anymore. Let's have a good New Year."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, looking at Konoha below and smiling.

He said, "There will be more troublesome things in the future. Let's rest well now. Oh, I remember Takemi's birthday is coming up. Jiraiya, could you take a gift over for me?"

"No problem, I'll go prepare now."

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Jiraiya nodded decisively. He wouldn't refuse this matter.

But after agreeing, he didn't move, instead looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a puzzled expression, which made Sarutobi Hiruzen have feel a bit strange.

He asked, "Didn't you say you were going to prepare? Why are you still here?"

Jiraiya retorted, "Old man, you didn't give me any money. How am I supposed to buy anything?"

"..."

— — —

"There sure are a lot of gifts today."

Late at night, Takemi finally finished his work and returned home.

He had received quite a few gifts today, from his old classmates and the teachers who had taught him.

Naruto and the nine rookies had given him gifts, and Guy, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and even the Third Hokage had brought him gifts.

"Looks like I'm quite popular in Konoha."

Looking at the pile of gifts, Takemi smiled.

He found that he was living very comfortably in Konoha now. Although it was a bit tough before, it was completely different now.

"Now I'm a true Hokage direct descendant!"

And thinking about it carefully, it seemed he had made the Sixth Hokage frustrated, tricked the Third Hokage and Seventh Hokage out of ramen, and even the Fifth Hokage was found by him.

With this level of purity, if he really had some thoughts about the Hokage seat in the future, maybe Naruto would cry.

"I'll see what the main mission is then. Anyway, there's still more than half a year, and I should complete the Jonin assessment."

Putting down the gifts, Takemi wasn't in a hurry to open them. He could save these things to look at slowly.

He was more curious now about what he would get after completing the Jonin main mission.

Besides that...

"What will happen after Jonin? Will I really make Naruto cry?"

Takemi's expression was a bit strange. He propped his head with his hands and pondered. However, at this moment, he suddenly had a very strange feeling.

"This is..."

He slightly raised his head, his gaze directed towards the sky, staring at the bright moon in the sky.

For some reason, he seemed to be able to feel a unique power in that bright moon attracting him.

And this power was inexplicably stirring his eyes, forming a unique resonance with the power in his eyes.