章 156: Dubious Training

The ninjas of Konoha weren't going to stand idly by after the explosion that ravaged the Nara clan. I could see several trying to understand not only what the hell happened but also who was responsible for unleashing those beasts in the middle of the village.

I'm certain I didn't completely exterminate the Nara clan. I have no doubts that there are people working either in the offices or on missions outside the village, so let's say only most of them are gone.

Let's say eight out of ten, tentatively, because there were quite a few people a moment ago...

While I had part of my attention on Nagato's chameleon to prevent it from running, whose invisibility wasn't very useful against my Mantra, I focused the rest on avoiding being seen and reviewing Konoha's most important buildings to verify if Shikaku was absent or if I already took care of him when I threw Nagato like a handball into the goal.

It would be a headache if it turns out he's on some mission and learns about what happened, hiding in the world to return as a third-rate villain with a plan to destroy the world.

The Pains were causing problems or looking for me, but when you know they share vision, you discard the option of eliminating them one by one to avoid being located. At least while they fulfill their own purpose of distraction.

Oh, what if I revived Yahiko? Ryuk helped me a lot in making that effort to revive people, although there are several annoying conditions to deal with because I can't gather chakra, clap my hands, and pull someone out of the Pure Land.

Damn convenient mystical energy...

I wonder what face Nagato would make when facing him with his deeds. I can almost see his desperate gaze and him muttering twisted excuses...

Is Konan still alive? Asking about her seemed inappropriate, so I didn't bring it up when talking to Anko.

Hmm, it seems Shikaku is with Kakashi in the Hokage's office, so he's not dead. Too bad.

It makes sense; even if working is problematic for him, he still has to earn his bread, or his wife will give him a lesson.

Wait, I guess that won't be a problem anymore!

Wow, the cynical side of me is resurfacing when I dealt with Danzo; I have to focus, or things will get very ugly.

Too bad for Yoshino, I can only say that her husband was an idiot who made a bad move.

Going against me.

Hinata should have received the message... yes, I see them moving in the Hyuga compound. At first glance, it seems like they're responding to the explosion and sending scouts, but as a spectator, I can see that there are people acting strangely.

Some Inuzuka clan dogs are also heading to what I assume is a pre-arranged meeting point, quite discreet if I may point out.

It seems Hinata listened to me and prepared things in advance, whether plans or storage scrolls with her things, good.

Should I kick some Pain away to distract them more?

Nah, the animal path will bring him back if I do that.

Although it seems... wait, something about the movements of the Pains feels off.

He's still looking for me, or... no, he's looking for someone else.

Is he looking for Naruto?

I feel offended on many levels. Does he really think I'll let him leave this place alive after aiming at my kids, even if it was at the expense of Shikaku's information?

What gives him that confidence to... oh, right, Obito.

Alias: "Uchiha Madara," he's still out there with his annoying Kamui.

While I have a spatial anchor that would prevent spatial techniques like the ones he frequently uses, I only brought one with me, and it can't last too long since I was still working on the graphene battery's duration. So if I see Nagato about to be sucked into a vortex, I have to be there immediately to activate the anchor.

This will also prevent Obito from "leaving" his Kamui dimension in the blocked area.

I should move; Kakashi and the others are about to arrive here, and while I would love to throw logic out the window and bring down everything to reduce Shikaku to ashes, I prefer to see first if the Pains will manage to kill him or if I'll have a chance to kill him without being seen.

On second thought, it's better to prevent Shikaku from having an exchange of words with the Pains. As far as the world is concerned, Akatsuki is attacking Konoha, and that's enough.

Third Person POV

—Hokage-sama! —an ANBU appeared next to Kakashi as everyone headed towards the explosion— We have identified the attackers, it's the Akatsuki organization!

—How did they manage to break through the barrier and sneak into the village without us knowing? —Kakashi asked with a furrowed brow, annoyed by such a significant failure— Send someone to the barrier department; I want them to examine possible cracks and tell them to monitor in case of more infiltrations.

—Yes! —the ANBU disappeared with the Body Flicker Technique and hurried to carry out the order.

—We should send someone with Naruto —although Shikaku was worried and prayed to the Sage of the Six Paths that his bad feeling wouldn't come true, he still had the goal of Akatsuki in mind— It's highly likely that their target is the jinchuriki.

—And Jiraiya left the village days ago to investigate Amegakure, is this a coincidence? —Kakashi wondered as he reflected. He turned his head and asked the ninja beside him— Where is Naruto now?

Since Naruto returned to the village, he has been secretly monitored under Kakashi's orders for his safety.

The Daimyo's men are very displeased with him for repeatedly breaking the decree of their former ruler, thinking that Konoha hasn't managed to raise its "weapon" properly. He also secretly feared the repercussions Naruto would face if the Uzumaki people of Seimeigakure found out about his actions.

And in Kakashi's opinion, it seems that Naruto's training hasn't been very effective since his student couldn't sense his surveillance during the entire time he had it. It's as if he only practiced taijutsu to stay in shape; the rest of his skills barely progressed.

What the hell did he learn from Jiraiya?

He didn't even manage to get him to stop wearing that horrible orange color!

—Hokage-sama, the jinchuriki is currently sleeping in his apartment after eating six cups of instant ramen.

Kakashi felt he shouldn't have left Naruto with Jiraiya. The new advisers and high-ranking officials recommended not accepting the Sannin's travel proposal, but he trusted that he could do a decent job during all this time.

And now they tell him that Naruto still hasn't lost the bad habit of eating junk food, and he isn't even up at these hours?

What could possibly go wrong with something as simple as this?