Chapter 183
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This mission was finally over.
From Natsuki tailing Kakuzu and Hidan, to Kakashi leading the team to eliminate them, the whole process took only five or six days.
Such efficiency was naturally thanks to Natsuki and TenTen's Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique) instant messaging, as well as Natsuki's detailed intel. If Natsuki hadn't clearly written down their immortal traits, Tsunade might not have risked sending people to deal with them.
Now, with Hidan and Kakuzu dead, although the other Akatsuki members were strong, they weren't as bizarre as these two.
Moreover, in the future, Natsuki would only expose more intel about Akatsuki members.
"Kakashi-senpai, how should we handle Kakuzu's corpse? Take it back?" Natsuki asked curiously.
"Bring it back." Kakashi replied. "Although Kakuzu is dead, it's possible we can still extract more intel from his corpse. Never underestimate our intel division's ninja."
True, the methods for gathering intel in the ninja world were diverse.
Like Aoba Yamashiro who could directly read memories, or Inoichi who seemed able to read the memories of the dead. Natsuki wasn't too clear on it, but there were many ways.
Also, taking Kakuzu's corpse back was good.
Otherwise, if Kabuto dug him up one day for Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation), that would be troublesome.
Shino spoke up at this moment.
"Actually, Hidan's head could be brought back. Since it's still alive, we might extract more intel."
That…
Everyone shivered as they remembered that guy still talking after being decapitated.
The Jashin cult was too creepy. Even being dismembered didn't kill him. Who would dare touch such a guy? Let him just die there.
Although Kakashi hadn't seen Hidan's final state, he still decided:
"Let's… not bring his head back. It's too bizarre. We finally killed him, and if he somehow revived, that would be bad. At most, note his location and report to Tsunade-sama later. Maybe she'll send ANBU to handle it."
Everyone agreed.
Not having to carry a talking head back was truly relieving.
Kakashi also sighed in relief, then took out a scroll, preparing to seal Kakuzu's corpse for transport.
Natsuki glanced at Kakuzu's corpse and suddenly spoke.
"Kakashi-senpai, that ring… didn't Uchiha Itachi and Kisame also wear one?"
Kakashi and Asuma quickly looked at Kakuzu's finger and nodded immediately.
"Right! Could it be… this is an Akatsuki insignia?"
Whether it was or not, since all members wore matching rings, it must be important. Better to take it than discard something potentially useful.
"What about Hidan's ring?" Kakashi asked again.
"Here, I thought it was suspicious earlier, so I took it when burying him." Shikamaru handed over a ring.
"Well done, Shikamaru!"
Kakashi felt relieved. Luckily Shikamaru was smart enough to remove it, or else they'd have to dig it back up later, which would be troublesome.
Holding both rings in his hand, he noted that the material was excellent, yet their design was very simple.
Kakuzu's ring had the kanji for "North" while Hidan's had "Three", probably their codenames within Akatsuki.
At this point, only Natsuki knew these rings were for initiating group calls. After all, Akatsuki members were often scattered, and gathering them for meetings would take too long.
So they used the rings. What was that jutsu called again… Anyway, Pain used it to start group chats.
Also, it was used when extracting tailed beasts from jinchuriki.
Now that the two rings were in Konoha's hands, who knew if Uchiha Obito or Black Zetsu would come to retrieve them.
While Kakashi sealed the corpse, Natsuki took out a note and sent a message to TenTen, letting her know he was safe.
Once everyone was ready, Natsuki summoned Badora, and the group rode the giant eagle back towards Konoha, disappearing into the distance within moments.
Just after they left, a venus flytrap-like figure emerged from underground.
"Troublesome… Kakuzu and Hidan are dead, and their rings were taken. As expected, Konoha's strength can't be underestimated. I need to inform Pain to be cautious."
Muttering to himself, Zetsu sank back into the earth.
As for digging Hidan out and reassembling him, he wouldn't bother. Hidan's strength was too trash to be worth the effort.
...
Meanwhile, in Konoha's Hokage office.
Tenten had been waiting there all day since last night after helping deliver the white cloth.
Tsunade understood the girl's unease and didn't interfere, even having Shizune prepare her a chair and tea.
Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long. Natsuki's note arrived, and upon seeing the words "Mission complete, everyone safe," TenTen finally let out a relieved sigh.
"Tsunade-sama, there's news!" Tenten said with a smile, handing over the note.
Tsunade read it and also felt relieved.
Ever since she decided to act against the immortal duo, she had been under immense pressure—not fearing blame, but worried for her people's lives.
Thankfully, they all returned safely. Details could wait until Kakashi's team came back to report.
Seeing Tenten's bright smile, Tsunade couldn't help reaching out to rub her twin buns.
"Look at how worried you were. Go wait for your beloved at the gate. Don't linger around here."
"Th-thank you, I'll go now."
Understanding Tsunade's gentle kindness, TenTen left the office and rushed towards Konoha's main gate.
Right after Tenten left, Danzo arrived, slamming the office door open with his cane, looking extremely urgent.
"Tsunade, how could you recklessly act against the immortal duo, and even send out so many of the village's elite? Do you even care about the village's safety? You're unfit to be Hokage."
He spoke bluntly, with a righteous tone.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, staring at Danzo as if to see through him.
"How did you know about the immortal duo?"
Danzo snorted.
"Koharu and Homura told me. What, as a former Hokage advisor, I don't have the right to know such things?"
Tsunade sneered.
"Of course you can know. But you're too impatient. Who are you trying to act righteous for? You're just after the secret of 'immortality', aren't you? Living to such an old age, yet still chasing fantasies. Hearing about 'immortality' and you couldn't sit still, huh?"
Danzo stiffened his neck in denial, but this only confirmed her guess.
Just as Tsunade suspected.
When Danzo noticed Homura and Koharu secretly strengthening the village's defenses, he sensed something was up. So he directly asked his old friends and successfully learned about the immortal duo.
(End of Chapter)
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