Chapter 170: Eating Contest, Targeting Kakuzu! (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Votes)
"Huh? What's going on over there?"
"So many people, and are those ninjas from outside?"
Having just returned from a mission, Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu intended to grab a bite at Ichiraku Ramen. To their surprise, the place was excessively crowded, surrounded by people, and there were ninjas from other villages.
"Seriously, that looks like a ninja from Amegakure. Is Ichiraku Ramen already that famous that ninjas from other villages come to eat here?"
Hagane Kotetsu also stopped in his tracks to look.
"That's impossible, right?"
Kamizuki Izumo frowned in thought, then suddenly said, "It seems to be the time for the Chunin Exams. It looks like these ninjas from outside are from other ninja villages."
Hearing this, Hagane Kotetsu also remembered that the village had previously issued a notice inviting allies to participate in the grand Chunin Exams.
"Let's go see what's happening!"
Kamizuki Izumo ran towards Ichiraku Ramen.
Upon reaching the edge of the crowd, the two heard enthusiastic shouts of "Go!" from inside.
"Hey, Hyakuso, you're here too."
Kamizuki Izumo suddenly spotted an acquaintance, Hyakuso, who had become a medical ninja.
Hearing his voice, Hyakuso turned and smiled, "Izumo, you two are back!"
"Perfect timing, you can't miss this competition."
Competition?
Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu looked at each other in confusion. The latter asked, "What competition?"
"A ramen eating contest?"
Hyakuso chuckled, "Something like that, but it's an eating contest proposed by Asuma!"
"Today is already the third day!"
"And the top ten finishers will receive a huge surprise!"
Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu exchanged glances, both showing interest.
"Who's in first place right now?"
Kamizuki Izumo asked curiously.
Before Hyakuso could answer, a Konoha villager nearby laughed, "Of course, it's Lord Asuma!"
"On the first day of the competition, Lord Asuma ate 100 bowls of ramen in one go, defeating the Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage, and Lady Tsunade!"
Hagane Kotetsu's eyes widened in surprise, "Even the Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage, and one of the Sannin, Lady Tsunade, participated?"
Hyakuso smiled, "Of course."
"Kakashi, Shizune, Kurenai, and the others also participated, but their strength is nowhere near enough."
"Tsunade is currently in second place with 55 bowls, and third place is Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki from Kumogakure, with 53 bowls."
Kamizuki Izumo was taken aback, "Huh? Killer B?"
"Why is he here?"
"I remember he was already ransomed back by the Cloud Ninja, wasn't he?"
Hagane Kotetsu nodded, a look of confusion on his face.
"Because this Chunin Exams unprecedentedly invited ninjas from Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure."
Hyakuso said proudly, "Asuma personally extended the invitation, and the other four great ninja villages agreed to participate."
Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu both looked shocked.
Konoha had held joint Chunin Exams in the past.
However, the invited ninja villages were basically those from smaller allied nations like Kusagakure and Takigakure.
They never expected that this time, even the other four great ninja villages would participate.
"Asuma always does something out of the ordinary."
"And it seems this Chunin Exams will be extraordinary!"
Kamizuki Izumo said with emotion.
However, he and Hagane Kotetsu had already become Chunin last year, so they naturally couldn't participate.
Hokage's Office.
Meanwhile, Sarutobi Asuma, whom Kamizuki Izumo had just spoken of, was being chided by Namikaze Minato, "Weren't you supposed to be busy with your training? Kushina saw you and Kurenai going to the hot springs yesterday!"
"Also, I heard you agreed to help Jiraiya-sensei with his illustrations!"
Sarutobi Asuma spread his hands and smiled, "That's a way for my brain to rest."
"Besides, I have Shadow Clones at the Ninja Academy and the Konoha Hospital. I've also contributed to the Jonin Special Training Class and even this year's Chunin Special Training Class."
"Fourth Hokage, you really don't empathize with your subordinates at all."
Namikaze Minato shook his head. "Asuma, you know that's not what I'm talking about."
"The Chunin Exams, and the Eating Contest… many ninja from various villages are gathered here, the pressure from all sides is immense."
"Shinya is also leaving the Anbu. How about you take over, Asuma?"
Anbu?
Sarutobi Asuma froze, surprised that Namikaze Minato was waiting for him here.
He did know that his brother, Sarutobi Shinya, was leaving the Anbu because he was getting married and preparing for a family.
"Let Kakashi and the others handle the Anbu."
"Using Shadow Clones in the Anbu isn't very suitable either; it's easy for accidents to happen."
Sarutobi Asuma shook his head, refusing.
Namikaze Minato said helplessly, "Although Kakashi has improved significantly, he's still too young after all!"
"I'm only a few months older than Kakashi!"
"If Kakashi doesn't have enough seniority, there are other talents, like Sakumo-sensei."
It was already Konoha Year 50, and Kakashi, at 17, wasn't young anymore.
Sarutobi Asuma adamantly refused to lead the Anbu and stated, "Besides, my research on Kekkei Mōra has reached a critical juncture."
"Alright!"
Namikaze Minato didn't press further and changed the subject. "Intel from Obito indicates they've identified several powerful rogue ninja and missing-nin, such as Orochimaru and Kakuzu, and invited them into the Akatsuki."
Sarutobi Asuma's expression turned serious. "It seems the Akatsuki is accumulating strength to collect the Tailed Beasts!"
Namikaze Minato nodded.
Uchiha Obito's intelligence transmissions with Konoha were conducted through the Kamui space.
He checked them periodically.
"Minato-niichan, what if we planted a few more spies in the Akatsuki?"
Sarutobi Asuma asked.
"Eh?"
Namikaze Minato blinked, not immediately understanding Sarutobi Asuma's intention.
If Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki, and with Obito already there, that would be two.
Then planting more spies…
Would that require someone to defect from Konoha?
"Who do you think would be suitable?"
Namikaze Minato asked.
"Me!"
Sarutobi Asuma pointed at himself.
Namikaze Minato was stunned, cold sweat breaking out. He said speechlessly, "Asuma, don't joke around."
"If you defect, who do you think would believe it?"
Sarutobi Asuma smiled. "I mean, I'll replace the person the Akatsuki wants to recruit and infiltrate their organization."
"It's a good opportunity to divide the other Tailed Beasts and prepare for the future."
Namikaze Minato pondered, then asked, "Using a Clone?"
"But can it fool the Rinnegan?"
Sarutobi Asuma reached out. "Lend me some Chakra."
Namikaze Minato hesitantly placed his hand on Sarutobi Asuma's, and Chakra flowed.
Sarutobi Asuma absorbed Namikaze Minato's Chakra, and in the next moment, his body changed, transforming into an exact replica of Namikaze Minato.
"This is..."
Namikaze Minato's pupils contracted sharply. "Even the Chakra is the same!"
Sarutobi Asuma returned to his true form and explained with a smile, "This is a Transformation Technique developed based on studying White Zetsu and Wood Release."
"After absorbing an enemy's Chakra and transforming, even Chakra sensing cannot distinguish it."
Namikaze Minato's expression turned grave. "This means those White Zetsu likely possess this transformation technique. If they have our intelligence, they can easily disrupt us."
"The intelligence Uchiha Madara collects is probably beyond imagination. As you said, they very likely possess many of Konoha's forbidden jutsu."
Although not explicitly stated, Sarutobi Asuma knew Namikaze Minato was referring to Impure World Reincarnation.
"This transformation technique isn't without a countermeasure. Kushina-neechan's Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, with its good and evil perception, can identify them through malice."
Sarutobi Asuma's words eased Namikaze Minato's tension. "If you can substitute for them, then proceed with infiltrating the Akatsuki!"
"By understanding the organization's every move, we can respond more flexibly."
I'll try to write another chapter tonight!
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