Chapter 106: Undercurrents

The construction of the Land of Waves Bridge was proceeding in full swing.

Team 7 was also diligently carrying out their duty as guards.

Of course, the only person they were responsible for protecting was Tazuna.

The other workers were not their responsibility.

After Kado became Naruto’s subordinate, he no longer sent anyone to harass the bridge construction.

In fact, he even came up with several profitable schemes centered around the bridge, which would eventually connect the Land of Waves to the Land of Fire.

After Zabuza woke up, he went to see Kado once.

Upon learning that the plan to sabotage the bridge construction had been abandoned, Zabuza initially wanted to find Naruto and take back the Executioner’s Blade.

However, Haku tactfully persuaded him not to.

The general idea was simple:

His injuries hadn’t fully recovered, and he couldn’t beat Kakashi. There was no point in throwing his life away.

Zabuza was unwilling to accept this and hesitated for several days.

Meanwhile.

Mei Terumi, who had been secretly building up her strength in preparation for overthrowing the Fourth Mizukage’s Bloody Mist policies, received intelligence that the "hero" of the Mist Village, Zabuza Momochi, had appeared in the Land of Waves.

In urgent need of manpower, Mei personally traveled to the Land of Waves and invited Zabuza to join her in discussing their plans.

Zabuza, who had already failed in his attempt to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage because of his opposition to the Bloody Mist policy, agreed to join Mei’s plan.

Worried that Mei would look down on him, Zabuza didn’t even mention that the Executioner’s Blade had been taken from him.

He followed Mei back to the Mist Village and went into hiding, waiting for the right opportunity to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage’s rule.

During this period, Naruto made a trip to the Sound Village.

He found Orochimaru and asked,

"Orochimaru, did something happen a few days ago?"

He already had a vague idea of what it might be.

Orochimaru took out a scroll and handed it to Naruto.

"Naruto-kun, take a look."

Naruto accepted it suspiciously and glanced over it.

The Joint Chunin Exams.

As expected.

Naruto looked at Orochimaru.

"What are you planning?"

Orochimaru repeated the explanation he had previously given Minato.

"I plan to send Sound shinobi to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams and create chaos.

"We’ll secretly have shinobi lying in wait, then join forces with other villages and use this opportunity to completely crush Konoha.

"What do you think, Naruto-kun? Interested?"

After pondering for a moment, Naruto’s lips curled into a smile.

He nodded.

"Sure. I’m very interested. Go ahead with your plan. I’ll make my move when the time comes as well.

"Do you need my help with anything right now?"

Orochimaru confidently shook his head.

"I’ve perfected the plan over the past few days.

"As long as you and Izumi-san make your move when the time comes, that’s enough.

"In fact, we may not even need you to act."

They might not even need to act?

Although Naruto wasn’t particularly confident in Orochimaru’s plan, interest still appeared on his face.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Orochimaru nodded.

"The Sand Village.

"I plan to assassinate the Fourth Kazekage alongside Kimimaro.

"Then I’ll disguise myself as the Fourth Kazekage and convince the higher-ups of the Sand Village to join forces with our Sound Village in attacking Konoha."

The Fourth Kazekage’s Magnet Release was quite impressive.

Naruto’s heart stirred.

"Do you need my help with assassinating the Fourth Kazekage?"

Orochimaru scoffed.

"The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa? Kimimaro and I are more than enough to deal with him."

He spoke as though Rasa was already receiving considerable respect by requiring the two of them to act.

Naruto nodded.

’Orochimaru will bring the corpse back anyway. I’ll deal with it then.’

Although he already knew most of Orochimaru’s entire plan, Naruto continued pretending that he knew nothing.

He said with a hint of concern,

"Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura are difficult opponents.

"If you and Kimimaro face either of them alone, you might have trouble.

"Even if you can deal with them, the two of your strongest fighters would be tied up.

"Sound and Sand alone won’t be able to handle Konoha’s mid-to-high-level combat forces."

Hearing Naruto’s concern, Orochimaru’s lips curled upward.

"I’ve already made arrangements for dealing with them. Kimimaro and I won’t need to act.

"Of course, if Naruto-kun wants to know about my arrangements now, that’s fine too.

"But wouldn’t it be more shocking if we revealed everything at the moment the operation begins?"

Minato had already agreed to the plan, so Orochimaru didn’t have to worry about Naruto becoming dissatisfied later.

Naruto had no idea what Orochimaru was thinking.

He nodded and didn’t ask any further questions.

He secretly complained inwardly.

’Isn’t it just Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju?

’At most, he’ll use White Zetsu as sacrifices to summon stronger versions of them.

’What’s with all the mystery?’

Of course, Naruto had his own plans as well.

Meanwhile.

Tanzaku Town.

During lunch, Shizune casually mentioned the information she had just gathered.

"Lady Tsunade, I heard that Konoha is holding a Joint Chunin Exam soon."

Shizune deliberately gathered information about major events happening throughout the shinobi world.

Tsunade nodded slightly without offering any comment.

She didn’t seem particularly interested in Konoha’s Joint Chunin Exams.

Karin, however, became curious.

"A Joint Chunin Exam? Which villages are participating?"

Shizune thought for a moment.

"The Sand Village, Grass Village, Rain Village, Waterfall Village, and... what was the other village again?"

Unable to remember for a moment, Shizune scratched her head in frustration.

Then inspiration struck.

"Oh, right. There’s also a village called the Sound Village."

Hearing this, Karin’s pupils contracted.

Her thoughts immediately began racing.

If the Sound Village were simply participating in Konoha’s Joint Chunin Exams, Karin wouldn’t believe it no matter what.

That afternoon.

After hesitating for a long time, Karin finally approached Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade, I want to go home for a while."

"Go home?"

Tsunade froze.

She hadn’t heard Karin mention wanting to go home in several years.

Hearing it so suddenly left her momentarily stunned.

After recovering, Tsunade nodded.

"Sure. If you want to go home, then go. How long are you planning to stay?"

It was normal for someone who hadn’t returned home in several years to miss their family.

Tsunade didn’t ask where Karin’s home was.

Any place where surviving members of a clan had gathered was likely somewhere that needed to be kept secret.

Karin estimated the time she would need before answering.

"About three months."

Tsunade nodded.

She didn’t even know how long the journey there and back would take.

Karin hadn’t returned home for years, and normally only her older brother came to visit her.

In the shinobi world, being away from home for two or three months was perfectly normal.

The Kaguya clan members had never come to visit either.

Perhaps there were still other people at home.

Tsunade didn’t ask any more questions and agreed.

"Alright. Go ahead. Be careful on the road."

"Mm. I know."

There was nothing strange about Karin wanting to stay a little longer.

Karin’s plan was a success.

Time flew by.

The Land of Waves Bridge was finally completed.

After handing over the mission payment and having Tazuna sign the mission scroll to confirm its completion, Team 7 left the Land of Waves and began their journey back.

Konoha.

As soon as they walked through the gates of Konoha, Kakashi turned around.

"Alright, the mission is over.

"You’ve all worked hard during this time.

"Take tomorrow off. The day after tomorrow, meet at the Hokage Tower in the morning.

"Alright, dismissed."

With that, Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique and disappeared.

Naruto turned to Hinata.

"Hinata, I’ll walk you home."

"Mm."

Hinata naturally replied with a happy little hum.

Beside them, Sasuke said,

"Naruto, I have something to discuss with you tonight."

They had been in the Land of Waves all this time.

During the trip, Kakashi had mentioned the Joint Chunin Exams.

At the time, Sasuke had remembered what Naruto had told him before.

Now, Sasuke wanted to confirm it with Naruto once again.

Was this so-called moment that would attract everyone’s attention...

the upcoming Joint Chunin Exams?

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