Naruto: Konoha’s Kanpu

Chapter 996: Finding Someone

Minato didn't specify who brought back the information, but Kanpū figured it was some unknown side character who had coincidentally encountered a fat sheep at a gambling den.

After Minato finished sharing the intel, Kakashi, who is leaning on his crutches, nodded immediately, "Thank you, Minato-sensei. I'll set off with Kanpū right away!"

Kanpū was stunned when he heard this, 'I just wanted to sell some strategies and make money for a few luxurious items. I never said I wanted to go along!'

"Take care on your journey." Minato smiled as he saw them off.

Outside the Hokage Tower, Kanpū crossed his arms, with a face filled with reluctance, "Kakashi-senpai, the truth is, I don't have any free time lately."

'No time?'

Kakashi stared at him with red eyes and said, "Is it because of your three students?"

Kanpū nodded earnestly.

In the afternoon, he still had to grade Naruto and Sasuke's 2,000-word summaries. How could he have time to wander around the world with Kakashi?

"There should be no danger in this trip, why not just bring them with us?" If it wasn't for his injury has not recovered, Kakashi didn't really want to bring Kanpū either.

"Bring them along... but there's no suitable mission for that." Kanpū said while rubbing his hands with a troubled look.

'Mission…' Kakashi suddenly realized, 'So you want to profit from somebody's misfortune.'

'As expected of you!'

Kakashi said with a snort, "I get it. I'll go to the mission hall and post a mission right now."

With that, Kakashi hobbled determinedly toward the mission hall on his crutches.

Hearing this, Kanpū enthusiastically waved, "Kakashi-senpai, don't forget to offer a good commission!"

Kakashi's crutch wobbled, and he nearly fell.

At three in the afternoon.

Naruto and Sasuke arrived punctually at the Gekko Mansion to submit their 2,000-word assignments.

Kanpū first looked at Sasuke's. The opening described how the battle started with Sasuke's imposing presence intimidating Naruto, who trembled like a quail. Then Sasuke, with his overwhelming strength, subdued Naruto, beating him so badly he was unrecognizable. Finally, considering their comradeship, Sasuke decided to show mercy and postponed the battle with a flimsy excuse!

'If I hadn't been there at the time…' Kanpū raised his head and glanced at Sasuke, who stood nearby with his hands in his pockets and an unperturbed expression. He felt his own kindly nature shatter into pieces!

Kanpū then checked Naruto's assignment, and his eyebrows immediately furrowed.

The handwriting was inconsistent, some characters big, some small, and slanted. Just on presentation alone, he could deduct ten points.

Reading through it, there were various grammatical errors, typos, and overuse of slang.

Halfway through, Kanpū decisively decided to let them grade each other's work. He handed Sasuke Naruto's summary, then said, "Take a look."

Sasuke's eyes lit up. He had been eager to see how Naruto had written his summary. But as soon as he took a look, his face showed obvious disgust.

At the same time, Kanpū also handed Sasuke's work to Naruto.

Naruto couldn't stand it after reading just the beginning and shouted, demanding an explanation from Sasuke, "Sasuke, you bastard! When did I ever tremble like a quail? Explain yourself!"

"Did you not tremble when I used Susanoo?"

Sasuke snorted, then countered, "Naruto, did you really pass the graduation exam? Even new students could write better than you!"

"What did you say?"

Naruto was unable to restrain his anger and rushed forward to fight him. Sasuke, unfazed, retaliated. The two stood eye to eye, nose to nose, baring their teeth at each other. Then, simultaneously, they both recalled the embarrassing memories and quickly backed away, leaving each other with a big view of their nostrils.

Seeing them so close yet so combative, Kanpū smiled with satisfaction.

After over half an hour of bickering, Kanpū finally called Karin and took the three students to the mission hall to accept the escort mission Kakashi had posted.

The mission required them to escort Kakashi until they found Tsunade, with a commission of… '50,000?'

Kanpū's eyelid twitched, 'Is that guy Kakashi having financial trouble?'

'Otherwise, why would he offer such a small amount?'

'But even if a little, it's still better than nothing … Moreover, once we found Tsunade, I could extort a hefty sum from Kakashi!'

After receiving the mission, Kanpū and the trio went to the village entrance and found a carriage.

On the carriage, Kakashi lay there comfortably, and upon seeing Kanpū and his students arrived, he lazily said, "Since everyone is here, let's set off."

"Naruto, Sasuke, Karin, you guys drive." Kanpū said.

"Kanpū-sensei, I don't know how." Naruto said confidently.

Sasuke, with his hands in his pockets, added: "Neither do I."

Karin shook her head as well.

"You can learn. Take your time, don't be afraid." Kanpū encouraged them earnestly.

Kakashi was annoyed as soon as he heard it, "Hey, I'm an injured person!"

Kanpū ignored him, waving his hand to let the eager trio drive the carriage out of the village. He then went to chat with Kotetsu and Izumo for a bit before leisurely following along.

The carriage jolted and swayed as it traveled, and it took about four or five days before Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin became proficient in driving, making the carriage ride fast and stable. Kakashi finally no longer felt any bumps while sitting inside.

But he had already suffered enough.

After another two days, they arrived at a sizable city.

"We're finally here." Kakashi stepped out of the carriage with a crutch, and sighed with relief.

"Kanpū-sensei, are we going to the gambling dens to find that Granny Tsunade now?" Naruto, who has enough experience, looked at Kanpū with anticipation.

"That's right. Go look for any clues and send a signal if you find anything." Kanpū ordered with a wave of his hand.

"Yes!" Naruto immediately called for Karin and ran off.

Sasuke hesitated for a moment before following them.

Kakashi shook his head, and said: "Tsunade-sama might have already left this city. After all, it has been so many days."

"Don't worry, as long as Lady Tsunade has been to a gambling den, she'll definitely leave clues. Then, we'll just follow those clues." Kanpū said calmly.

Kakashi nodded, and then showed thoughtful look and asked, "Kanpū, the plan you mentioned before... it isn't to gamble with Tsunade-sama, is it?"

"How vulgar! "Kanpū looked at him with disdain, 'Gamble with her?'

'You don't know how realistic Tsunade-sama can be.'

'Hmph.'

...

Somewhere in the Land of Fire, at an underground base.

When the last bit of Sanbi's chakra was absorbed by the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the Phantom Dragon Nine Consuming Seals that lasted for more than ten days finally ended.

"It took such a long time…"

Hyōketsu said, "Nagato, since Deidara and Sasori are gone, why not recruit a few more members?"

"More people isn't always better."

Nagato declined Hyōketsu's suggestion, then turned to Zetsu and instructed, "Bring Orochimaru here to see me. The rest of you can disperse."

"Understood." Zetsu smiled and disappeared into the ground.

Kisame and Kakuzu glanced at each other, and then left.

The other mental projections also dissipated one by one.

Soon, the dark base was left with only Nagato's and Konan's mental projections, and a seemingly decayed giant dead tree!